It was built up as a game bigger than Origin, and Samoa v Tonga somehow exceeded expectations as the Pacific nations produced a World Cup epic worthy of a final.
SEMI FINALS: Rugby League World Cup semi-finals locked in
MATCH CENTRE: Tonga v Samoa, scores, stats, live blog
The biggest ever crowd for a sporting event at CommBank Stadium witnessed 80 minutes of magic as Tonga survived a dramatic late scare to beat their rivals 20-18 in the wild west.
The official attendance was 29,411 but it felt like a lot more as the two sets of fans went crazy during the anthems and the traditional pre-game war dances which were the entrée to a buffet of big hits and breathtaking tries.
Tonga scored with eight minutes remaining to retake the lead but Samoa looked to have pinched it at the death when the electrifying Sua Fa’alogo got the ball down in the left corner.
But the officials spotted a toe on the sideline which prompted an explosion from the Tongan end of the ground where the big red machine waved hundreds of flags and broke into song to celebrate the epic win.
IT’S ALL ADDIN UP
Two tries in five minutes put Samoa back in front, but big man Addin Fonua-Blake had other ideas as he strolled through a simple one-on-one missed tackle by Spencer Leniu to break Samoan hearts.
Robert Toia had earlier given them the lead when the Roosters centre latched onto an offload from Haumole Olakau’atu and then rounded Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with some fancy footwork.
It was a special try from a gifted player and it set the tone for what was to come, with Tonga denied a try in both corners by the barest of margins.
The men in red came up with a lovely scrum play for Jojo Fifita to score, while Lehi Hopoate produced some heroics in defence to jolt the ball free when Benaiah Ioelu looked certain to score.
HAMMY HORROR
Samoa looks set to be without a key member of their spine in the semi-final after Chanel Harris-Tavita limped off in the second half with a hamstring issue.
The five-eighth had just produced a moment of magic when he popped an absurd pass over his head to set up Brian To’o for his second try of the night.
But ecstasy turned to agony for Harris-Tavita who immediately clutched his left hamstring after his conversion attempt cannoned into the upright.
Ronald Volkman replaced him and then delivered the biggest moment of his young career when he powered his way through to crash over to put his side ahead with 12 minutes to go.
He will now partner Jarome Luai in the halves in what will be the biggest game of his career.
“Harris-Tavitia didn’t come back from the dressing room to watch the rest of the game,” The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said on Channel 7.
“We’ve all been around the game long enough to know that’s a World Cup-ending hamstring injury.”
PROP’S NERVOUS WAIT
Samoa front rower Junior Paulo will await Monday’s judiciary update for their ruling after being placed on report for a shoulder charge.
Paulo escaped a sin bin for the tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak but could come under the ire of the match review committee.
Former NRL prop Aaron Woods doesn’t believe Paulo should cop a ban for the tackle, but Riccio thinks the star forward could be in some hot water.
“I don’t see any wrapping motion and ultimately it is where contact is made. I don’t think it’s in the severe class but there might be a match in it though,” Riccio said.
Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo copped a match ban for a similar tackle against Fiji and is set to miss the semi-final against Tonga.
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THE ROAD AHEAD
Sunday’s result means Australia will face Samoa in one semi-final, while Tonga will travel to Newcastle to take on New Zealand for a spot in the decider.
The Newcastle clash will be on Saturday night, while the Kangaroos play on Sunday at Allianz Stadium.
Samoa will feel like they have the team to shock the Aussies, especially if their forwards stand up again.
Junior Paulo made an early statement with a thunderous shoulder charge, while Jarome Luai stood over his man after he whacked Demetric Vaimauga and won his side a penalty.
They have the skills to score from anywhere with Stephen Crichton producing a miracle offload for a Brian To’o try, while a slick shortside raid saw Fa’alogo set up Tabuai-Fidow for an epic four pointer.
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TEAMS
Tonga team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Robert Toia 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Salesi Foketi 10. Jason Taumalolo (c) 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Siua Wong 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Soni Luke 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Leka Halasima 19. Latu Fainu
Samoa team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Jarome Luai (c) 8. Francis Molo 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Junior Paulo (c) 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Francis Manuleleua 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Shawn Blore 17. Ata Mariota 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Ronald Volkman