Rivals Fiji and Tonga do battle in the opening match of the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup. Join The Roar for live scores from 1pm (AEST).
There is no love lost between two of the more entertaining nations in world rugby.
Fiji and Tonga both play an exuberant brand of rugby, and as a result, fans should expect plenty of points today.
Fiji coach John McKee has named a strong squad, with Highlanders winger Patrick Osborne expected to make his debut.
Prop Mesake Doge and loose forward Naulia Dawai are the other players hoping to leave their mark against Tonga as they bid to secure a place in Fiji’s forward pack.
Tonga meanwhile will blood promising outside backs Nafi Tuitavake and Taniela Kilioni, while prop Sione Faletau will also play his first game for the national team.
Tonga are more than capable of causing the upset, but Fiji at home are difficult to topple and have shown enough good form of late to start as warm favourites.
Unlike Tonga and Samoa, who both had relatively disappointing World Cup campaigns last year, Fiji played well in a group of death containing established powers Australia, England and Wales.
If Fiji are able to build on the performances they showed at last year’s Rugby World Cup, then they should be too strong for Tonga at home.
Anything less however, and Tonga possess the players required to cause the upset.
Fiji by 7
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