Tonga set up a mouthwatering clash with New Zealand by overpowering Pacific rivals Samoa 32-18 in Hamilton.
Match stats: Samoa 18-32 Tonga
Samoa tries: T evaga, Roberts, Lafai
Goals: Lafai (3)
Tonga tries: Jennings (2), Terepo, Murdoch-Masila, Ma'u
Goals: Taukeiaho (4), Hingano (2)
Match report
Tonga set up a mouthwatering clash with New Zealand by overpowering Pacific rivals Samoa 32-18 in Hamilton.
Kristian Woolf's side underlined their status as World Cup dark horses in a thumping win over Scotland in their opener and they made another big statement on Saturday.
Street violence involving opposing fans marred the build-up to the eagerly anticipated showdown but the rival players embraced and came together for a prayer just before kick-off in a show of unity.
The atmosphere was still at fever pitch when former Australia centre Michael Jennings scored his fourth try of the tournament to put Tonga in front in the 10th minute.
Samoa hit back six minutes later through Jazz Tevaga but Sio Siua Taukeiaho nudged Tonga back ahead from a penalty and Jennings touched down to put them 14-6 up at the break.
Peni Terepo and Warrington-bound Ben Murdoch-Masila appeared to put Tonga out of sight but they needed a late try from Manu Ma'u to settle it after Castleford half-back Ben Roberts and Timoteo Lafai had cut the deficit to eight points.
Tonga will return to Waikato Stadium next Saturday to take on New Zealand in a battle to secure top spot in Group B.