Tonga vs Samoa controversy: High tackle drama sparks calls for rule change
The Tonga-Samoa Test match exploded in a blaze of controversy following a second-minute drama that could force NRL and international league bosses to act - then Samoa tamed Tonga and a 90-minute lightning delay.
Samoan sensations Junior Paulo and Jeremiah Nanai combined to deliver a savage one-two punch to spearhead a 34-6 belting of Tonga on a dramatic Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
Not even a shock 90-minute lightning delay could stop Samoa storming to a Tongan trouncing, breaking a 1079-day drought in a Test match blockbuster that resembled a Polynesian version of State of Origin.
Two-try Nanai and wrecking ball Paulo snapped Samoa’s six-match losing streak as 44,682 Polynesian fans flocked to Suncorp - the biggest Test match crowd on Australian soil not involving the Kangaroos in 68 years.
While it failed to eclipse the 50,077 that watched Great Britain and France at the SCG in 1957, this Pasifika pearler had everything, including a 60th-minute lightning threat that forced players off the field as a classic Brisbane storm lashed Suncorp.
When the Polynesian gladiators finally returned, Samoa finished off Tonga in a six-try romp, edging closer to the Pacific Championships final after recovering from last week’s 24-18 loss to New Zealand.
“Amazing performance,” Samoa coach Ben Gardiner said.
“It was one of the weirdest circumstances I’ve seen in a rugby league game for a long time, let alone a Test match.
“We set the game up brilliantly at the start. I’m so happy.”
HIGH SHOT FARCE
After two stirring pre-match war dances, the Polynesian blockbuster exploded in a blaze of controversy following a second-minute drama that could force NRL and international league bosses to act.
Tongan prop Stefano Utoikamanu was illegally smashed high by Frank Molo, but while he was placed on report, the Samoan enforcer escaped being sin-binned by referee Todd Smith.
Adding salt to Tonga’s wounds, Utoikamanu later failed his HIA, while Molo remained on the field, reigniting calls for defenders guilty of inflicting a concussion to be removed from the game.
Queensland Origin legend Cooper Cronk called on NRL and RLIF officials to crack down on defenders who force a ball-runner out of the game.
“If Stefano can’t return, then Frank Molo shouldn’t be on the field either,” Fox League analyst Cronk said.
JUNIOR THE GIANT
Samoa’s spiritual leader Paulo turned back the clock with a barnstorming performance.
On the cusp of his 32nd birthday, prop Paulo led the Siva Tau and it stirred the warrior in him. The 120kg hitman topped his side’s tackle count in the first half with 21 and unleashed the hit of the game in the 33rd minute when he thumped Soni Luke as Samoan fans went berserk.
Fittingly, the most-capped player in Samoa’s history with his 19th Test appearance sealed a famous win with a 66th-minute try assist for Payne Haas to nail Tonga’s coffin shut.
“Junior produced a real captain’s knock,” Gardiner said.
WHACK 💥 pic.twitter.com/Fo5rqnutbk
— NRL (@NRL) October 26, 2025
JUGGERNAUT JEREMIAH
Nanai had a forgettable 2025 campaign with the Cowboys but he was a Samoan Superman with a sensational double that turned the contest.
In the 29th minute, he sensationally flew high to snaffle a Jarome Luai cross kick and crash over, before doing it all himself eight minutes after half-time, grubbering ahead and regathering to leave Tonga in tatters at 16-0.
Tonga’s forwards were impotent. Paulo, Nanai, Haas and Josh Papalii won the midfield for Samoa, giving fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (278m) and winger Brian To’o (174m) the space to run riot.
HALF THE BATTLE
Tonga were banking on halfback sensation Isaiya Katoa to engineer victory but the Dolphins phenom never got going as Samoan halves Luai and Blaize Talagi fired in the first half.
Talagi oozed class at pivot, posting try assists with slick hands. Luai not only slotted a sublime cross kick in the 29th minute for Nanai, but he outpointed Katoa in the all-important No.7 battle.
While Katoa struggled for control, his Tongan five-eighth cohort Isaiah Iongi showed moments of promise, but rued his three errors, including his 57th-minute fumble while attempting to score at 16-0.
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