Andrew Fifita's Tonga team have won a free-flowing Test match against Pacific rivals Samoa, in front of a full house at Campbelltown Stadium.
Fifita was his usual self in the middle of the field for the Tongans, charging forward in doing a job for his team, who benefited from a standout performance from Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo, with Tonga running out 38-22 winners.
For the Samoans, Fifita's Sharks teammate Joseph Paulo played a number of roles for his team on the night, including a stint at dummy half in another display of his skills and versatility.
But it was all Tonga, their first half demolition setting up an unassailable 30-6 lead and despite Samoa mounting something of a comeback, the final result was never in doubt.
While Samoa scored first, it was their opponents who ran rampant for the remainder of the first period, six tries and three-goals setting up the match-winning lead.
Samoa threw the ball around and scored some impressive tries and while they got the attention of the Tongans, it wasn't enough, with Tonga scoring seven tries to four in what was a fair indication of the difference between the two teams.
The Tongans have now set their sights on a game against the Kangaroos, tentatively planned for after the 2018 NRL season.
Fifita and Paulo will rejoin the Sharks tomorrow for a recovery session before departing for New Zealand on Wednesday ahead of their round 16 clash with the Warriors.
