Qualification for the World Rugby Under 20 Trophy is up for grabs when Samoa and Tonga go head to head in Apia this week.
The Polynesian rivals clash in the first leg of the Oceania Under 20 Trophy at Marist Park this afternoon, with the second leg at the same ground on Saturday.
Samoa and Tonga are competing for a spot in the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy. Photo: Oceania Rugby
The winner will compete at next year's Under 20 Trophy in Brazil.
Samoa skipper Simon Peter Toleafoa was a part of the Baby Manu team thrashed 58-8 by Fiji in the final of this year's World Junior Trophy.
The Auckland-based first five said Samoa's local and overseas based players have been able to train together for the past few weeks and will give it everything.
"We know that Tonga will bring everything. We're all trying to vie for that spot in the Trophy next year and from the Trophy we will try and win that Trophy and get to the Tier One so we will be doing our best to try and get into that Championship."
Simon Peter Toleafoa breaches the Romanian defence during the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy. Photo: FRR / World Rugby
Tonga last featured in the World Rugby Under 20 Trophy in 2015 and captain Pita Ofa Halaifonua said the team is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Samoa.
"The boys are really happy for this game because together with the boys from New Zealand we're looking forward to tomorrow for the game - we are so happy," he said.
"We're going to do what we (planned in training) and we are playing hard tomorrow."
Fiji have won the past three Oceania Under 20 titles but will not feature this year, having earned promotion to the top tier Under 20 Championship.
