Tonga and Samoa players to renew rivalry in World Cup match

Tongan player Stefano Utoikamanu and Samoan front-rower Francis Molo are set to face each other again during a World Cup match at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.

The matchup follows a controversial incident during a Pacific Nations Championships match last year, where Molo was placed on report for a high tackle that knocked out Utoikamanu during his Tongan debut.

Utoikamanu, who has been named on the bench, expressed readiness for the encounter, stating he intends to play his usual hard-running style regardless of the history between the players. Molo is scheduled to start the match.