Samoa has stunned Pacific island neighbours Tonga to qualify for their first-ever World Cup semi-final appearance with a 20-18 victory in Warrington.
This match was set to be a tightly fought affair and the atmosphere generated by a special cultural performance set the mood for what was going to be an epic arm wrestle between these Pacific island powerhouses.
The match was just minutes old when Samoa generated the first scoring opportunity. It was a great short pass from Anthony Milford which found Jaydn Su'A who wrong-footed Will Hopoate to cross for the opening try after just five minutes of play. From the outset, it was clear that opposition errors were going to generate opportunities for the other to score. Tonga was able to hit back when boom youngster Joseph Suaalii was pinned for leading with the knee in possession of the football and was placed on report. From the ensuing field position, Will Hopoate created the extra man and the Penrith edge of Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o were caught at sixes and sevens as Daniel Tupou scored out wide.
Tupou and Hopoate turned from heroes to zeroes in just minutes when the pair combined for the worst offload thrown at this World Cup which gave Samoa prime field position. They didn't waste their chance and it was Jarome Luai who skipped and danced his way to the line and Samoa had an early 12-4 advantage. It was a trying middle period of the first half, with Tonga dominating the forward exchanges but coming unstuck with an unstructured feel in their attack. Matters weren't helped when Will Hopoate left the game with a hamstring injury and failed to return. Tonga didn't let this get to them and hit back just before half-time, It was a clever grubber kick from Soni Luke and it was the farewelling Rooster Siosiua Taukeiaho who crossed for the Tongans to reduce the gap to just two points at the change of ends.
After a trying opening to the second half, Tonga camped down the Samoan end of the ground and eventually, the pressure took its toll. Milford was pinned for being off-side and rookie Isaiya Katoa knocked over the chip shot and the scores were level. Two critical penalties against fellow new Dolphin recruit Felise Kaufusi gave Samoa prime field position and off the back of Kaufusi's second indiscretion (for a strip), Crichton knocked over the penalty goal and Samoa led by 2. Three minutes later, a big break up-field by Suaalii allowed Samoa to have a semi-final bound lead. It was a clever kick from Milford, which wasn't dealt with and Brian To'o was there jolly on the spot to score and extend the margin to two possessions.
Tonga didn't give in and crossed inside the final ten minutes to reduce the gap back to two points. A poor kick from Luai turned the Tongan defence into attack and off the next tackle, a strong carry from Moses Suli is supported by Sione Katoa and Tonga wasn't prepared to go quietly. However, some poor fifth tackle options proved to be costly in the final analysis and it allowed Samoa to escape with the victory and secure a semi-final date with England at the Emirates. It's a golden opportunity for Samoa to get revenge for their opening night horror show. While for Tonga, it's a World Cup that ends on a disappointing note, so much was expected from them after a strong 2017 campaign, but have fallen short at the final hurdle.