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Live sport on SN this weekendTonga turn focus to Samoa showdown after Lebanon win
Jack Brady, AAP • October 24th, 2026 2:30 am
Tolu Koula evades an attempted tackle by Moustafa Dirani of Lebanon to score for Tonga | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Mate Ma'a Tonga have turned their attention to an enticing showdown with Toa Samoa following their 36-0 shutout win over Lebanon.
With a semi-finals berth still not secured, Tonga are hoping to maintain their undefeated Rugby League World Cup run in front of another boisterous Parramatta crowd next weekend.
Revenge however isn't on their mind despite last year's 28-point Pacific Championship loss to Samoa.
Samoa will face Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday before returning to Australia for the highly anticipated contest.
Lebanon gave everything they had but it simply wasn't enough against the Tongans | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
"It's a huge game for both countries given the history between Tonga and Samoa. We're expecting another physical game and we're looking forward to it," Tonga skipper Jason Taumalolo said.
"I've been lucky enough to be part of some big games, and next Sunday is going to be a big occasion. I'm sure there will be a few nerves but I'm confident in the team we have which will make for a great game.
"Playing Lebanon was a taste of what's to come. The support of the Tongan fans never ceases to amaze me; the atmosphere they provide is second to none.
"They're always proud and they'll always turn up in numbers, and hopefully they will do the same next week."
Lebanon's Michael Gabrael gets a post-match hug from Tongan Sione Katoa | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Tonga overcame 13 errors to secure victory over Lebanon, proving their own worst enemy for the most part.
The scrappy win wasn't without excuse six days removed from their gritty win over England in Perth, with chief playmaker Isaiya Katoa, star centre Robert Toia and veteran Tyson Frizell all absent.
Tonga made the most of their limited opportunities early to capitalise at key moments, before doubling their tally in the final 10 minutes as wingers Sione Katoa and Jojo Fifita secured two tries apiece.
Lebanon battled hard but were unable to keep Tonga at bay at CommBank Stadium in Sydney | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Lebanon – who remained error-free in the first half – had the better of the early opportunities but didn't have any answers when it mattered most.
"I don't want to be a gallant loser but at the end of the day, that's what we are," Lebanon coach Michael Cheika said.
"I didn't want it to finish with that scoreline, I thought we merited better, but fatigue played as a factor at the end.
"I'm super proud of the boys. I don't say that lightly. Some of them are part-time footballers and they handled those conditions pretty well across the board."
Lebanon will round out their World Cup campaign against France next Sunday afternoon.
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