Tonga 36
Samoa 4
In the unlikely setting of Penrith last night, we may have witnessed a rebirth in international rugby league.
Tonga overcame the recent domination of Samoa (they hadn't beaten their neighbours since 2006) in an entertaining game but this was much more than one match.
With this fixture hopefully set for the next few years, both these nations will only improve. Remember, league barely existed in union-mad Tonga as little as five years ago.
There are more Polynesians than ever in the NRL (an estimated 30 per cent of the NRL and almost 40 per cent of the Holden Cup). Now, with league's sensible eligibility rules, which allow one switch during each four-year World Cup cycle, it is likely these players could see Tonga or Samoa as viable options and not just in World Cup year. With the continuing development of Papua New Guinea, international league could have a genuine second tier.