Manu Samoa

The France-based winger, who had been on destructive mode since appearing for Fiji in the ongoing World Rugby Test series, is expected to be an impact player in the team's campaign to win the PNC.

Tonga leads the tally after two games.

Fiji Times reports a win this weekend for the Fijians will ensure we retain the annual title.

Tuisova's 7s Rio Olympics teammate and off-load king Leone Nakarawa is expected to be on his 'A'-game after showing A-grade elusive ball handling skills against the Ikale Tahi in Nuku'alofa last weekend.

The 'Ikale Tahi triumphed 30-26 in Nuku'alofa, in front of ten thousand fervent supporters in the first test match at Teufaiva Stadium for eight years.

RNZI reports the home side raced out to a 14-3 lead in the opening 20 minutes but Manu Samoa closed the gap to one point at half-time, courtesy of a Faifili Levave try and two more penalties from Tusi Pisi.

With the match in the balance at 20-19, halfback Sonatone Takulua completed a breakaway Tongan try from inside their own half and added the extras to make it 30-19 with half an hour to play.

In the only change to the backline, the Chiefs utility replaces D'Angelo Leuila at fullback after missing last week's 19-17 defeat by Wales in Apia through injury.

Head coach Namulauulu Alama Ieremia has also had to make some enforced changes in the front row, with Piacenza prop Nephi Leatigaga earning his first test start in place of the injured Viliamu Afatia, while veteran Census Johnston remains unavailable.

The team is eager to take on Tonga on home soil in a much anticipated game at the Teufaiva Stadium.

It has been eight years since the Ikale Tahi played on home ground and Saturday’s game will be the first international match since the stadium was given the all clear by World Rugby officials earlier this month to host test matches.

As the visitors checked into Tanoa International Dateline Hotel yesterday afternoon, the Digicel team were ready to provide the team with assistance on Visitor SIMs and Top Up.

Wales bagged a second consecutive win over a Pacific team, beating Manu Samoa 19-17 after trailing for most of the match.

Wing Steffan Evans scored in the 72nd minute to win it for Wales.

Earlier Alapati Leiua and Manu Leiataua had crossed the line for Samoa.

Robin McBryde told BBC Wales his team showed immense character.

"After going 10-0 down early on in the first half, it's like 20-0 in these conditions, you know, and we stayed in there and we soaked it up," McBryde said.

Paul Alo-Emile gets his opportunity at tight head prop, with Census Johnston having to return to New Zealand for personal reasons.

Galu Taufale is set to earn his first cap on the openside flank, while Alafoti Faosiliva earns a start at number eight.

Faifili Levave and Vavae Tuilagi are set to add loose forward impact off the bench.

Following on from tonight's game and another against Wales next week, Samoa enter the Pacific Nations Cup which also doubles as the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers where they'll face fierce rivals Fiji and Tonga.

Manu Samoa coach Alama Ieremia said getting to play the All Blacks as a precursor is like a Christmas wish coming early.

"To play in a double header, it just went from bonus to bonus to bonus. I'm really excited about that, the team's really excited about that.

With Tusi Pisi out injured, Faapale is flyhalf alongside Kahn Fotuali'i as the Samoans look to upset les Bleus.

David Lemi will again lead the side.

Lemi joins Paul Perez and Paul Williams in the back-three with the experienced Rey Lee-Lo and George Pisi starting in the midfield.

North Harbour and former NZ U20 player Christopher Vui will partner with Filo Paulo in the locking combination for the Samoans.

For France, Maxime Machenaud has been selected at scrumhalf by France coach Guy Noves.

Paul Perez will be starting the game at centre as Malu Falaniko replaces Albert Nikoro at fullback and Pelefofoga Cowley coming in for Dwayne Polataivao at scrum half.

"Obviously we have been waiting for these guys for a while and I'm glad Paul is here as well as Census. They bring an extra boost to both the backs and our forwards," said head coach Namulauulu Alama Ieremia.

"Malu Falaniko is a very talented young player and we look forward to how he’s going to fare against Tonga. We just have to make sure we cover all our bases tactically," he added.

RNZI reports the Polynesian rivals go head to head in tonight's opening game of the tournament in Monaco and are among 16 teams competing for the final berth in Rio.

Samoa are the tournament's top seeds after finishing ninth on the recent World Series, including victory in the Paris leg.