Tonga coach Jim Dymock hopes World Cup officials don't over-react to the guaranteed fireworks with Pacific rivals Samoa on Friday night.

As the countdown continues to the most eagerly awaited clash of the World Cup, Dymock hopes referee Shayne Hayne tolerates the physicality that has become a trademark of their encounters.

With the biggest confrontation to come before kick off, as both countries come face-to-face during pre-match war chants that have led to punches, Dymock expects the rest of the game at CUA Stadium to be played by the rules.

"We're not going to cross the line and start head-hunting people," said Dymock.

"It is going to be played very physically and hopefully everyone understands that and we're going to give as good as we get.

"We just want to play tough and ask Samoa I'm sure they will want to do the same.

"It is sort of built up a bit more than it is.

"I'm sure when the two war dances are on there will be plenty of feeling then but after that I think the game will be played in good spirit.

"Hopefully after the war dance everyone settles down and can just worry about playing football."

World Cup officials are aware of the high likelihood of flare ups prior to kick off and have warned both sides not to cross the halfway line during their war dances.

"I think it is not really the rule, it is just respect not going over the line," said Tonga five-eighth Feleti Mateo, who rated this game "one of the biggest" of his career.

"I don't know what will happen if it gets crossed."

But Tongan director William Edwards has seen enough battles between these two nations to know what will happen and wouldn't be surprised if this game goes down as the most memorable of the World Cup.

"There's been fireworks every time we've played so I'm expecting fireworks again," said Edwards.

"It is just a matter of whether we need the fire department to come and put those flames out in the form of boys in blue or officials from the World Cup.

"At the end of the day they've never called off a game between the two countries, even though they might have gotten a bit brutal.

"It could be the best (game of the World Cup) or it could be the most awful game as well. It could deteriorate into a slugfest rather than fancy football.

"It will be very brutal ... against Samoa it's not about intelligence, it's about confrontation.

"(But) I reckon the game will be won on control and discipline rather than having a loose cannon on the field going out there trying to kill someone.

"There is only one game for us ... we might as well pack our bags and go home if we go down in this one."

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