When the Kiwis meet Tonga at Eden Park this weekend, the scoreboard will matter, but so will something else: a changing identity for both teams.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has named former captain Jason Taumalolo for the clash, a big boost after his absence in the previous match against Toa Sāmoa, which Tonga lost 34-6.

Taumalolo has returned from injury, and Woolf told John Pulu on PMN Tonga that having Taumalolo back gives the team belief.

He says the NRL star is more than a player, he’s a symbol of who the team are when they play together.

"Disappointing last week. We weren't where we needed to be," Woolf says. "We're a young side and we're going to learn from that."

Tonga need to beat the Kiwis by at least 17 points to stay in contention for the Pacific Championships finals.

Tongan XIII training session at Nudgee College in Brisbane ahead of their clash against the Toa Sāmoa. Photo/AAP/Photosport/Darren England

New Zealand will seek to assert their dominance, but the hosts will do so knowing that Tonga’s cultural pride, fan base, and game plan have changed.

“Tongan rugby league isn’t just about power anymore,” Woolf adds. “We’ve worked hard to bring control, patience, and respect for the small moments that win big games.”

Tonga’s strength has always been in their pack and physicality, but this year, there’s another layer.

Watch Tongan rugby league fans turn out for their team during Fan Day in Auckland on Thursday.

Forward Felise Kaufusi says, “We were a bit off the pace… we want to start fast, start hard and be more disciplined”.

He says discipline, combined with a passionate Tongan diaspora that turns up in droves, "means it’s not just about the players, it’s about community and identity on the field".

“When you hear the singing, see the flags, it hits different,” Kaufusi says. “You play for something that’s bigger than a scoreboard.”

Kiwis' coach Stacey Jones has named a 21‑man squad that blends hardened veterans like Kieran Foran (in what could be his final tour) with debutants like Xavier Willison.

“We’ve selected a strong core and some hungry young men," Jones told the NRL. "We expect to compete at the highest level, and we know Tonga will test every part of the game.”

For Tonga, a strong performance will validate their evolution - from “big body pack” to disciplined contender with cultural momentum. For the Kiwis, it’s about redefining dominance while building for the future.

New Zealand Kiwis coach Stacey Jones during his side's training at Western Springs in Auckland on Tuesday 28 October 2025. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

“It’s two proud nations meeting head-on,” Woolf says. “We both carry our people with us onto that field.”

Both nations have deep ties to communities abroad; the turnout and energy will lift the match beyond skill.

Kaufusi says, "When our fans fill the stadium, it feels like home, even in Auckland.”

Tonga’s missing stars mean depth and cohesion will be tested. The Kiwis’ mix of experience and rising talent opens up new tactical possibilities and questions.

For many players this weekend, the match is more than a tournament fixture. It’s a moment of identity, pride, and representation.

“This game tells our story. Who we are and how far we’ve come,” Woolf says. “Win or lose, we represent Tonga with heart.”

Tonga's Felise Kaufusi scores for the Dolphins during the NRL Round 23 match between the Redcliffe Dolphins and New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, 11 August 2024. Photo/AAP/Photosport/Jono Searle

It remains to be seen whether Tonga’s front row will physically set the tone early or if the Kiwis’ mix of experience and fresh legs will dominate with structure.

"You’ll see two teams who refuse to back down,” Jones says. “That’s what makes this rivalry special.”

Will the "red sea" of Tonga fans match the volume of Kiwi supporters, and how will that energy affect momentum?

One thing is clear: on Sunday, it’s not just about a match. It’s a statement. Tonga are playing to redefine themselves; the Kiwis to reaffirm theirs.

Whether it’s the thunder of Taumalolo or the calm of Foran setting the tone, Eden Park will once again host a clash where culture, strategy, and pride collide.

The Pacific Cup match will kick off at 6.05pm, local time, and will be streamed live on Sky Sport. For tickets, click here. In other Pacific Championships games this weekend, the Papua New Guinea Kumuls take on the Fiji Bati in the Pacific Bowl in Port Moresby on 1 November. The Pacific Cup final will be played in Sydney on 9 November.

Zach Dockar-Clay kicks the ball during the New Zealand Kiwis rugby league training at Western Springs, Auckland, on Tuesday. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

Teams

Tonga: Lehi Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, Tolutau Koula, Paul Alamoti, Sione Katoa, Isaiah Iongi, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake (captain), Siliva Havili, Felise Kaufusi, Eliesa Katoa, Siua Wong, Jason Taumalolo, Soni Luke, Leka Halasima, Demitric Vaimauga, Moeaki Fotuaika. Reserves: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Will Penisini, Salesi Foketi.

Kiwis: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jamayne Isaako, Matthew Timoko, Casey McLean, Sebastian Kris, Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, James Fisher-Harris (captain), Phoenix Crossland, Moses Leota, Briton Nikora, Isaiah Papali'i, Joseph Tapine, Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison. Reserves: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Scott Sorensen, Keano Kini, Zach Dockar-Clay.

Watch Tongan rugby league mentors Tavake Fangupō, head coach Kristian Woolf, and John Hopoate's interview with John Pulu on PMN Tonga below.