‘I was angry after that’: The Samoan high shot that hasn’t been forgotten

October 31, 2026 — 9:30amStefano Utoikamanu has little recollection of his debut for Tonga last year after a regulation hit-up resulted in him being knocked out inside the opening minute by Samoan front-rower Francis Molo.Molo was placed on report for his dangerous tackle in the Pacific Nations Championships match, but the Storm enforcer’s day ended immediately.The tackle that ended Stefano Utoikamanu’s Tongan debut last year.NINE“It was pretty crazy because I was so excited to play for Tonga,” Utoikamanu, 26, said.“I got a high shot. But it’s how the game is. They miss some of them, unfortunately that was one they missed. I was angry after that. But it’s a year on, it’s in the past, I’m just excited to go up against them again.”Molo and Utoikamanu will renew their rivalry on Sunday night when Tonga and Samoa clash in a highly anticipated World Cup match at a sold out CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.It will be a chance for Utoikamanu, who has been named on the bench, to get one back at Molo who will start.Stefano Utoikamanu rips into training at Wentworth Park on Tuesday.KATE GERAGHTY“I’ll go out and do what I do best, which is run hard and try to get at someone,” Utoikamanu said when asked if he would give Molo some special treatment.“Whoever is in front of me, I’ll do what I can to try and get over them.“I’ve been watching the Samoans, they like to play a bit of footy, they’ve got a very strong pack, like ours, so I’m excited for that battle.”Utoikamanu previously represented Samoa to honour his mother, Esther, but always wanted to make his Tongan father, Kava, proud.“I spoke to ‘Woolfy’ [Tonga coach Kristian Woolf] when I first came into the NRL, he asked me to train with the team, or listed me in their extended squads, so I’ve always had that kind of relationship with them before I played,” Utoikamanu said.“I loved watching their games out at Penrith and Campbelltown when they used to play. I’m just happy to wear this red jersey.“Mum will support me on Sunday no matter what, but she’ll probably also support the Samoans. She knows I always wanted to play for the Tongan team, especially at a World Cup where you get the chance to upset some big teams.“We didn’t have much success in clubland this year, so a big motivation for me was trying to get into this team because I know when we’re at our best, we can beat any team.”The winner of Sunday’s all-Pacific clash is likely to play New Zealand in a semi-final in Newcastle next Saturday, with the loser to remain in Sydney for Australia next Sunday.From our partners