League: England just edge Samoa

England's Tom Burgess is tackled during the Four Nations match between England and Samoa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo / Getty Images

This was just what international rugby league needed.

Samoa pushed England to the absolute limit - and on another day could have won - in a spectacular beginning to the Four Nations last night.

They eventually went down 32-26 - after holding the lead with 15 minutes remaining - in a match that was a vital boost to the credibility of the sport.

Samoa showed the benefits of the recent efforts to give them more matches with the mid-year Pacific Nations tests.

"They've got some real quality and they didn't stop coming for 80 minutes," said England and Warriors fullback Sam Tomkins.

Samoa put in an immense effort, with their forwards in particular matching up well against the much-vaunted opposition pack. England did well to recover from a flat start but will need to improve significantly in the coming weeks.

Tournament organisers couldn't have wished for a better start. There was great tries, ferocious defence and some things you don't normally see in a test.

There was Frank Pritchard kicking bombs and throwing flick passes, a ball that bounced parallel along the dead ball line for 30m, a goal-line drop out that reached the opposition 20m line and the biggest hit on George Burgess (by Mose Masoe) seen this year.

Samoa made the more impressive start and had two great chances within the first 15 minutes but couldn't take them. The first try came against the run of play, as English interchange hooker Daryl Clark sprinted 40m through some lazy defence before sending Michael Shenton to the line.

England had further chances soon afterwards but Samoa held firm and then deservedly came back into the match with two tries in the space of six minutes.

Firstly, Issac Liu crashed over near the posts after a delightful ball from the impressive Josh McGuire. Soon afterwards, Daniel Vidot profited from clever work from Joey Leilua to storm over in the corner.

England regained the initiative in the final stages of the first half, with the Burgess brothers (Sam, of course, was missing) coming into their own. Tries to Kallum Watkins (35th minute) and Liam Farrell (46th minute) should have given them some breathing space but they didn't count on an inspired Samoan comeback.

The Pacific side scored two tries in seven minutes through Pita Godinet, with the former Warriors hooker twice diving over from close range.

Trailing 22-20 against a fired-up Samoan team, England were in danger of becoming the first side to fall to the 'fourth nation' in the history of this tournament.

They rallied, although they were fortunate with a contentious video referee decision to award a Joel Tomkins try in the 65th minute. Brother Sam - who earlier showed great courage to stop a rampaging Pritchard in full flow - appeared to make the game safe as he stretched out four minutes later before a further Samoan rally ensured a thrilling finish.

England 32 (M. Shenton, K. Watkins, L. Farrell, J. Tomkins, S. Tomkins tries; G. Widdop 6 gls) Samoa 26 (P. Godinet 2, I. Liu, D. Vidot, A. Winterstein tries; K. Stanley 2 gls, B. Roberts gl).Halftime: 14-10