Rugby League World Cup: Samoa edge Tonga to make semifinals

Samoa celebrate on the final whistle following the Rugby League World Cup quarter-final against Tonga. Photo / Getty

Samoa reached its first Rugby League World Cup semifinals after edging an unsparing clash with Tonga 20-18 today.

A gripping quarterfinal in front of a spellbound crowd of 12,674 in Warrington set up a semifinal with England in London next Saturday. The Samoans will have a chance to atone for the embarrassment of their 60-6 defeat in the tournament opener a month ago.

Samoa has been unrecognizable in its three matches since that rout in Newcastle, having had time to find cohesion.

Tonga, semifinalist at the last World Cup in 2017, was always on the back foot from the moment a subtle pass from Samoa halfback Anthony Milford got second-rower Jaydn Su’a striding through a yawning gap in the defense for the first try.

Tonga hit back against the run of play when fullback Will Hopoate, making his first appearance of the tournament, produced a cut-out pass to get winger Daniel Tupou over at the corner.

Most of the tackles were bone-crunching but not all hit the target and, when center Will Penisini failed to grab hold of Samoa dangerman Jarome Luai, the standoff weaved his way over for his side’s second try.

Stephen Crichton’s second conversion made it 12-4 and it could have been more but Tonga regrouped defensively and hit back eight minutes before the break. Prop Siosiua Taukei’aho showed deceptive pace for a big man to touch down Soni Luke’s grubber kick on the last tackle.

Isaiya Katoa’s first goal of the game cut the gap to two points and he traded penalties with Crichton in the third quarter.

Samoa’s third try reflected its superiority. A run from teenage fullback Joseph Suaali’i took his side to within striking range and right winger Brian To’o touched down Milford’s kick on the last tackle.

Crichton maintained his perfect record with the boot to restore his side’s eight-point advantage but there was one more twist to the contest. Center Moses Suli broke clear on halfway to get winger Sione Katoa sprinting away for Tonga’s third try.

Isaiya Katoa’s third goal made it a two-point game with 10 minutes to go but, despite the valiant efforts of captain Jason Taumalolo, Tonga couldn’t score again.