If ferocious tackling, passion and commitment won world cups, Manu Samoa (the Samoan Warriors) would have won it by now. Sadly, despite reaching the quarter finals in 1991 and 1995, they have struggled to perform in the professional era due to financial difficulties, locality and player depth.

Tonga head coach Quddus Fielea had unsuccessfully attempted to postpone naming his squad until high court proceedings between members of the Tonga rugby union had been completed. The court action was as a result of a split in the union that emerged earlier this year when three board members resigned amid accusations that the remaining four board members had been meeting in secret and making unauthorised decisions.