Tonga will be hoping that their first match at the Teufaiva Stadium since 2009 will inspire them to victory over Samoa in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2017 opener on Saturday.

The 'Ikale Tahe know that victory is a must if they are to keep alive their hopes of claiming the Oceania 1 or Oceania 2 spots at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan after losing to both Fiji and Samoa in last year's competition.

Defeat will leave Tonga unable to catch Fiji and Samoa in the standings across the 2016 and 2017 editions of the tournament and mean they will face a European team next year in a bid to qualify as the Play-off Winner and join Ireland, Scotland, hosts Japan and the Europe 1 qualifier in Pool A at RWC 2019.

Lose that play-off and they will have to negotiate the global repechage tournament to qualify for the first Rugby World Cup in Asia.

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Only two of Tonga's squad named to face Samoa have played at the Teufaiva Stadium before in former captain Nili Latu and David Halaifonua and coach Toutai Kefu acknowledges it is a special occasion to be able to play on home soil in Nuku'alofa again.

"The boys are really enjoying it and we've only got two players who have played here before at Teufaiva Stadium. A lot of the boys don't realise how special it is, so it's good that they have come here to experience that," Kefu admitted.

The squad have been getting out among the community this week to experience the excitement ahead of the test match and completed an Amazing Race Challenge in the Central Business District. The players were split into teams and had to complete a number of challenges, including helping to sell fruit and vegetables at Talamahu Market and serving food and drinks in cafes.

A buzz in the country

"It's quite a buzz in and around the country at the moment, obviously knowing that we're back here, why we're here and in the team only two players from the squad have played in Teufaiva," said prop Ben Tameifuna, who made his test debut in the 24-6 loss to Wales in Auckland a fortnight ago.

"I think it's an awesome feeling to be back in Tonga, especially to have the home advantage. You know how the Tongans celebrate and support - it's a different kind of animal."

Samoa coach Alama Ieremia is definitely aware of that home advantage and the boost it will give to a Tongan side that have not beaten their rivals since 2011, their most recent encounter ending in a 30-10 win for the Samoans in last year's Pacific Nations Cup.

"We are looking forward to playing a strong Tongan team and we all know the significance of this match," Ieremia said. "It is not lost on us that we have not played here since 2008 and as you can imagine it will be a big occasion for Tonga and the community here."

Ieremia has brought Tim Nanai-Williams into the starting line-up at full-back in place of D'Angelo Leuila after he missed the 19-17 loss to Wales through injury, while Nephi Leatigaga will make his first test start in place of the injured prop Viliamu Afatia and Faifili Levava replaces Alafoti Faosiliva at number eight. Brothers Jordan and James Lay are named on the bench, along with uncapped second-row Masalosalo Tutaia.

For Tonga, 'Atiele Pakalani will make his test debut at full-back with Halaifonua moving to the right wing and Nafi Tuitavake and captain Siale Piutau (pictured with Samoa captain David Lemi) forming a new centre partnership. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi and Siua Halanukonuka come into the front row with Tameifuna and Latu Talakai dropping to the bench.

The 'Ikale Tahi are ranked two places above Samoa in 13th in the World Rugby Rankings and cannot improve their position even with a victory by more than 15 points. Samoa would fall one place to their lowest ever position of 16th in that event, but would swap places with their hosts with a win. A win by more than 15 points for Samoa would condemn Tonga to a three-place fall to 16th.

The World Rugby Rankings will update at 12:00 UK time on Monday.