Tonga’s gripping win over Samoa a victory for Pasifika pride at Rugby League World Cup

Sometimes sport does live up to the hype. Any suggestion that there was little riding on this result was evidently nonsense, when weeks of anticipation evolved into a mass display of national pride, the desire to get one over on their Pasifika cousins far greater than wanting to avoid Australia in the semi-finals. Tonga and Samoa flags had flown from cars for several days across the eastern seaboard and five hours before kick-off the streets of Parramatta were throng with huge groups of both nationalities celebrating their cultural bond.

Both teams were basically through to the final four, yet still produced an exhilarating derby that confirmed England’s exit from the Rugby League World Cup on points difference. Fans who’d paid sums previously unheard of for international rugby league tickets on the black market and resale sites will consider it money well spent. Those who got theirs for $20 will consider it the buy of the year.

Any game would struggle to live up to the pre-match activities that had the CommBank crowd at fever pitch. But Brian To’o’s electrifying early darts and bullocking runs by Tongan props Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake laid platforms for both sides to attack. From there, Samoa looked uncertain in good ball situations while Tonga consistently threatened, Tolutau Koula denied a try by the video referee as the returning Isaiya Katoa linking their attacks beautifully from halfback. But it would take a magnificent side-stepping solo run by Robert Toia down the right centre channel to open the scoring at the predominantly Tongan end 27 minutes in.

Captain Jarome Luai tried to fire Samoa up with a ferocious hit on Spencer Leniu and it was his booming kick that was fumbled by Tonga, Stephen Crichton manufacturing something from nothing to send Brian To’o in for their first points. Toia got the first after the break, finishing a fluid move on the left, Katoa extending the lead to 14-4. Samoa had to strike next and did with a repeat move, Luai’s high kick to the right, a fumble and a wonderful overhead pass, this time by Chanel Harris-Tavita, laid up To’o for his second. Harris-Tavita pulled a hamstring hitting a post with the conversion attempt and hobbled away, his World Cup done. Samoa weren’t going quietly, though. Lehi Hopoate knocked the ball out of Salesi Foketi’s hands as he plunged over the line, the teams exchanging massive hits as the fans swapped hymns.

Samoa, finalists four years ago, were not fading away. Slick handling down the left sent in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow untouched, but replacement kicker Ronald Volkman made it zero from three for Samoa from the tee and they still trailed. He made up for it a couple of minutes later, bouncing off tackles to complete a dazzling team move and finally put Samoa ahead. His kick made it 18-14 with 10 minutes to play.

Luai’s attempts to keep his team calm fell on ears deafened by the racket from the frenzied stands. Instead, Addin Fonua-Blake blasted through tired tacklers to level and Katoa’s conversion put Tonga back in front. There were times when Tonga’s veteran forwards Tyson Frizell – who’d previously played in World Cups for Wales and Australia – and captain Taumalolo looked exhausted but they went to the well one more time to produce heroic defensive efforts. And when Sua Fa’alogo’s toe touched the touchline and his try was ruled out two minutes from time, Samoa’s race was run. They will face the Kangaroos across Sydney on Sunday, while Tonga take on the Kiwis in Newcastle in Saturday’s semi-final.

Twenty years ago last week, Tonga beat Samoa in front of a couple of thousand neutrals in Leeds. It’s now the biggest fixture in international rugby league, with a ground record of 29,411 rejoicing in the occasion. World Cup organisers, the Australia Rugby League Commission, will have been thrilled with the sell-out event, thousands of Lebanese adding to the atmosphere. Their extraordinary 24-20 golden point win over France in the second game of a triple-header being the game of the tournament until this one, both proving dead rubbers can be a corkers. Somehow the ARLC has found itself both host and promoter of the world’s biggest Pasifika party. Peter V’landys and Co will now be figuring out how to put on a repeat event every year.