Rugby World Cup: Tonga Stuns Samoa

In what Samoa coach Michael Jones (NZL) described as the best performance he had ever seen from a Tonga team, the Tongans hurled themselves at every breakdown and contested every facet of the match.

"We wanted this one more than Samoa. I said to the boys before the game, 'today you either die or come back to the changing room with nothing'," said Tonga captain Nili Latu.

Despite being down to 13 men for the last five minutes, Tonga nullified Samoa's last desperate attack and then wound down the clock before embracing each other with unrestrained joy at the final whistle.

Tonga repel Samoa's attack with just 13 men

Having trailed for most of the match, Tonga hit the front at the 60 minute mark when inside centre Epeli Taione scored the only try of the match, making amends for his 28th minute yellow card for repeated ruck infringements.

Penalised for a high tackle, Tonga flanker Hale T Pole became the first player to be sent off in an IRB Rugby World Cup match since 1999 - and the 13th overall.

Reserve forward Toma Toke followed him to the sideline just three minutes later on a yellow card for a high tackle, leaving Tonga two men down in the dying stages.

Despite the two-man advantage, Samoa were no more able to put together a cohesive attack than they had for most of the previous 75 minutes.

Samoa "out-passioned and out-muscled"

Tonga were aggressive at the tackle and breakdown, where Jones said his side were "out-passioned and out-muscled".

"The Tongans, when they're in that mood... it doesn't matter which game plan you throw at them, they're going to knock you over, or smash you over," said Jones.

"We acknowledge and commend the Tongans on how they played today. They were awesome. We have to eat humble pie. That's part of this journey we're on."

Tonga looks to the heavens for inspiration

Tonga coach Quddus Fielea attributed his team's victory to the power of prayer after his team had held a special service on the Sunday morning of the match - normally a strict day of rest in Tonga.

"We were on this draw to play on a Sunday so we had this prayer and we dedicated this game to the Almighty God," Fielea said. - Rugby World Cup News Release