Tonga and Samoa met in the early hours of this morning at the Rugby League World Cup and the action before the game was almost as good as what was on offer during the contest.
The Pool B battle of Pacific Islanders took place in New Zealand with Tonga winning out on a 32-18 scoreline after a pulsating encounter.
Match Highlights from Samoa v Tonga#SAMvTON#RLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/y3tVYgAooZ
— RLWC2017 (@RLWC2017) November 4, 2017
However, it was a wonderful display of cultural heritage and passion before the game that has the world talking.
Love this 🙌🏽💯💙 #SAMOA pic.twitter.com/yBxGIdtBEp
— Tim Cahill AO (@Tim_Cahill) November 4, 2017
First off, the two sides met in the middle of the field to form a huge circle in order to pray together and then the fun began, as they squared off to perform their respective traditional pre-match war dances.
Tonga’s Sipi Tau and Samoa’s Siva Tau duelled it out and the crowd in Hamilton absolutely soaked it up. Watch it for yourself below:
With not try your Rugby League World Cup bets at PaddyPower.com?? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED ??#SAMvTON#RLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/5NfBIbZ81S
— RLWC2017 (@RLWC2017) November 4, 2017