Everyone knows about the Samoa vs Tonga rivalry, I'm from South Auckland so you could say that I feel the rivalry in my loins. Even those in the deep, dark caves of Aotearoa know about the Samoa vs Tonga rivalry though and in rugby league we are currently being treated to something that goes a wee bit beyond the stock-standard Samoa vs Tonga sporting event.

That's how Samoa vs Tonga sports is packaged and it's exactly how the seemingly annual rugby league fixture between the two nations is packaged. We all know about the rivalry and what that means in a full contact sport such as rugby league, yet now we've got some tantalizing nuance to these games that has me frothing every time these two teams prepare to face each other.

The nuance starts with the fact that Tonga are now certified favourites. This comes on the back of the World Cup and many of the game's best players, with Tongan heritage opting to represent Tonga and perhaps make Tonga a rugby league nation, as opposed to being between union and league. The big dawgs are in this Tongan squad for the mid-season fixture, led by Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita.

In general, the Tongan squad and the team they'll likely roll out just feels stronger. That's even without the likes of Tevita Pangai Junior and David Fusitua. Addin Fonua-Blake has been a metre-eating monster alongside Manly Sea Eagles and has made the low key switch back from Aotearoa, to Tonga, having previously represented Tonga before playing for Aotearoa in the World Cup. Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Peni Terepo are excessively robust forwards who are among the best performers for Roosters and Eels each week, while Joe Ofahengaue has started to blossom at the Broncos in 2018.

All those middle forwards are uniquely mobile and well, stereo-typically powerful. I reckon Taukeiaho will shift to the edge, with Manu Ma'u on the other edge and that will leave a bench spot for either young toko Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans) or Junior Tatola (Rabbitohs). Fotuaika has a certain x-factor about him through the middle and he'd be my pick on the bench ahead of Tatola; Fotuaika is the best forwards prospect at the Titans and could have a breakout game vs Samoa.

Whatever way you want to cut it, this Tongan forward pack is kinda freakish and that's the basis of their favourites tag. It would take a hearty effort from Samoa's forwards to maintain parity with the Tongans as they not only give up a bit of size and oomph, they lack the footwork and mobility of the Tongans. Perhaps some razzle dazzle from the likes of Joseph Paulo, Ligi Sao, Luciano Leilua, Sam Kasiano and Michael Chee Kam (all of whom have shown the ability to pass or offload in the NRL) could be Samoa's best hope of challenging Tonga through the middle. 

Tonga have established themselves as an international force and although Tonga are ushering in a few new faces, Samoa are in more of a rebuilding phase. Luciano Leilua (Dragons) joins older uso Joey, Josh Aloiai and Michael Chee Kam are rewarded for their strong start to the season for the Tigers and Christian Crichton has burst on to the radar on the wing for Panthers after they suffered a backline injury crisis. 

Interestingly, Tyrone May earned selection ahead of Jarome Luai, with May likely to start in the halves alongside Mason Lino - Anthony Milford at fullback. Both May and Luai are Panthers halves with Luai featuring in the World Cup last year (maybe Luai's injured), now it's May's chance to demand further selection.

Samoa do have experienced players, however they have more players of the younger variety and also more players who play limited minutes each week in the NRL. Tonga have more talent and experience, thus they are the powerhouse and we can now enjoy these games with a legit favourite and underdog. 

The other major point of intrigue is something I've talked a lot about in the past 18 months and that's the young play-makers in either team. The #KiwiNRL takeover means that rugby league continues to enjoy greater popularity in Aotearoa and there are more and more young play-makers coming out of Aotearoa, which is helping everyone out; Mason Lino, Siliva Havili, Sione Katoa, Ata Hingano and Tuimoala Lolohea played all their junior footy in Aotearoa.

Even May and Milford are young play-makers, meaning that either halves combo will be young and Tonga have an awesome hooking rotation in Havili and Katoa. Both Havili and Katoa have leveled-up since the World Cup, earning plenty of starting minutes for Raiders and Panthers respectively. 

Gone are the days of either team stretching their roster to move a forward into the halves, simply because there are no viable options in the halves. We expect Samoa and Tonga to have depth in the forwards and outside backs, now there's genuine depth in play-making position and as these guys are all young, there is a chance for them to be the long-term combinations for their nation; we could see Lolohea, Hingano, Havili and Katoa form the play-making group for at least five years.

Manly's Manase Fainu could come into the frame for Tonga at some stage soon, once he can get some NRL footy.

Samoa also have young options who aren't in their squad. Fa'amanu Brown hasn't kicked on since joining the Bulldogs and Luai isn't in this squad, giving Samoa; Brown, Luai, Lino and May to pick from along with Milford.

As we all know about this rivalry, we know the stereotypes. The nuance however sits in the fact that with more talented play-makers, both Samoa and Tonga can move beyond those stereotypes and offer more layers to the contest. In this instance, Tonga's squad not only looks better at the stereotypical brute force, but they also have better play-makers and that splash of class has them as favourites.

Tonga's Possible 17

Fullback: Will Hopoate.
Wings: Daniel Tupou, Robert Jennings.
Centres: Konrad Hurrell, Michael Jennings.
Halves: Tuimoala Lolohea, Ata Hingano.
Middles: Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Siliva Havili.
Edges: Manu Ma'u, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
Bench: Sione Katoa, Peni Terepo, Joe Ofahengaue, Moeakia Fotuaika.

Samoa's Possible 17

Fullback: Anthony Milford.
Wings: Christian Crichton, Jorge Taufua.
Centres: Joey Leilua, Tim Lafai.
Halves: Mason Lino, Tyrone May.
Middles: James Gavet, Sam Kasiano, Bunty Afoa, Pita Godinet.
Edges: Michael Chee Kam, Isaiah Papalii.
Bench: Dunamis Lui, Joseph Paulo, Josh Aloiai, Luciano Leilua.

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Peace and love 27.