A proper arm-wrestle at the moment, both sides holding firm thus far.

Boom, have that. Ben Murdoch-Masila smashing Ryan Hall who was bring the ball back on the turn.

Felt that tackle here in my seat.

The Lions have looked for the 40-20 a couple of times through Gareth Widdop and Josh Hodgson but come up short on both occasions.

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Salford man Tui Lolohea has caused a few problems with his kicking today. He dinks one for himself before collecting and then gains some yardage by popping it into touch.

Territorial advantage for the hosts.

10 minutes in but the Lions are going to feel it on Sunday morning, they have taken some heavy hits already - the big man Luke Thompson slow to get up, he is the one that usually dishes it out in the Super League.

And there is the man Robbie Hunter-Paul told us to keep an eye on, Jason Taumalolo attempting to burst through but is tied up by three defenders.

Tui Lolohea's kick on the fifth tackle is not the best and the Lions survive their first real test at the back.

It has been a tremendous battle so far, very physical as you would expect against the Tongans.

Brian Noble
Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC Two

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The noise is crazy and the energy from the Tongan team has been really high. It's a test for the Lions.

Big Saints prop Luke Thompson penalised for a flop in the tackle.

Now the Tongans have a chance to get forward for the first time.

Siliva Havili is held up close to the tryline then the Lions have to deal with Salford man Tui Lolohea's neat kick through.

Good pressure from the hosts gaining a GLDO (goalline drop out).

Richard Griffin: So I’m up early for the rugby, that’s Great Britain v Tonga of course.

You may have heard there's quite a big game on in the other code today... if you do want to keep in touch with that, you can follow the build-up to the Rugby Union World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand here.

Canberra Raider Elliott Whitehead seeing plenty of the ball early on, changing a couple of Tongan defenders and spinning away.

Warrington-bound Gareth Widdop then sprays a kick towards Jermaine McGillvary down the right, but the Huddersfield winger knocks on close to the tryline.

Just could not gather it in.

One of the greats of English rugby league.

Skipper James Graham wins his 50th Test cap, becoming only the fourth British player to reach the landmark after Jim Sullivan, Mick Sullivan and Adrian Morley.

Having said that, the hosts were pinned back close to their own tryline and have a long way to travel up the field.

A high kick is well collected by Chris Hill.

Not the best set from the Lions, Elliott Whitehead surrendering the ball on the last tackle.

Where was the kick? Make the Tongans turn and chase it.

And a mistake immediately from Tonga, sending the kick-off out on the full.

The Lions have a tap restart 40 metres out and can put on some early pressure.

Six minutes late, but we are finally under way.

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The Tongan players slapping their thighs thunders around the Waikato Stadium.

We were supposed to start at 8...

Emotional stuff for some of the Tongan players, one is in floods of tears - that is what is means to them.

Here comes the Tongan war dance, the Sipi Tau.

Anthems o'clock.

God Save The Queen followed by a choir signing the Tongan national anthem.

Ooof, those Lions tracksuit tops looks beauuutiful. Where do I get one?

Tonga Invitational XIII coach Kristian Woolf: "They haven't toured since 2007 and these are opportunities that Tonga hasn't been given in the past. We've certainly deserved the opportunities with our performances and our crowd helps that as well. We can't wait to see them all tonight."

Gamesmanship?

The Lions have been lined up on the pitch for a good five minutes now. The Tongans are still psyching themselves up in the changing room.

Like it, keep the opposition waiting, wondering.

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Wigan's Zak Hardaker has been on the road to redemption after testing positive for cocaine while playing for Castleford Tigers before receiving a drink-driving conviction just over a year ago.

The 28-year-old had been expecting to watch the forthcoming Test series in New Zealand from a family holiday as he thought his chance of making the trip had gone.

"I've just really enjoyed this year and been really fixated on me, my family and Wigan," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The trust that's been given in both directions has been huge and the performances on the pitch have led to that."

Read the full piece

GB Lions assistant coach Ian Watson: "It is one of excitement, a bit of nervousness but a challenge we are looking forward to.

"We have a lot of quality players in our squad and some came into form at the back end of the season. They now have to keep it going and give Wayne Bennett selection issues to deal with."