Tonga and Samoa faced off at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta on Sunday night in the final match of the Rugby League World Cup group stage. Earlier, Lebanon upset France 24-20.
The atmosphere at CommBank Stadium was loud and colourful, with thousands of flags waving and fans still making their way to their seats amid a sea of blue and red. Tonga's Siva Tau was performed in the middle, while Samoa stood on the 30-metre line and Tonga stood near halfway. Every player's name was met with applause and excitement as the teams were announced.
Tonga entered the match after wins over England (30-12) and Lebanon (36-0). Samoa had hammered France 78-4 and defeated PNG 64-6, conceding only eight points across two games while scoring 142.
Lebanon scored the match-winner in the 85th minute through Abbas Miskin. There were celebrations for Waratahs-bound Michael Cheika.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The result determines semi-final opponents for both teams, with the winner facing New Zealand and the loser meeting Australia.
- The match carries huge significance for both Pacific island nations, with a spot in the final four at stake.
Background
The Rugby League World Cup is in its group stage, and this match was the final group game for both teams. Tonga had beaten England and Lebanon to secure their place, while Samoa had dominated France and Papua New Guinea.
Key Perspectives
No distinct positions were reported in the source.
What to Watch
- The outcome will determine semi-final matchups: winner plays New Zealand, loser plays Australia.
- The form of key players such as Jason Taumalolo for Tonga and Jarome Luai for Samoa could be decisive.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTonga and Samoa meet in a Rugby League World Cup group-stage match.The Age - Latest News: “we’ve got an exciting match-up this evening: Samoa vs Tonga. Kick-off is due at 8.05pm. It also marks the final match of the group stage”
- SupportedThe winner will face New Zealand and the loser will face Australia in the semi-finals.The Age - Latest News: “the winner will take on New Zealand next Saturday while the loser will set up a date against Australia at Allianz Stadium next Sunday.”
- Partly supportedTonga and Samoa had faced off at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta on Sunday night.The Age - Latest News: “It’s a fine evening here in Parramatta and we’ve got an exciting match-up this evening: Samoa vs Tonga. Kick-off is due at 8.05pm.”
- SupportedThe Tonga-Samoa game was the final match of the group stage.The Age - Latest News: “It also marks the final match of the group stage before next week’s semi finals.”
- SupportedLebanon upset France 24-20 earlier.The Age - Latest News: “Then Lebanon scored the match-winner to knock over France 24-20.”
- SupportedThe scene at CommBank Stadium was loud and colourful, with thousands of flags waving.The Age - Latest News: “It’s a picture of blue and red here tonight in Parramatta. There’s still some fans making their way to their seats, but it’s loud and colourful. [...] There are thousands of flags being waved around CommBank Stadium.”
- SupportedTonga performed its Siva Tau in the middle, while Samoa stood on the 30-metre line and Tonga near halfway.The Age - Latest News: “Tonga’s Siva Tau is being performed out in the middle. Samoa are standing in a straight line on the 30m line. Tonga are up near halfway.”
- SupportedTonga entered the match after beating England 30-12 and Lebanon 36-0.The Age - Latest News: “Earlier, Tonga beat England 30-12, before beating Lebanon 36-0.”
- SupportedSamoa entered the match after beating France 78-4 and PNG 64-6.The Age - Latest News: “Samoa, meanwhile, hammered France 78-4 and then smashed PNG 64-6.”
- SupportedAfter two games, Samoa had scored 142 points and conceded eight.The Age - Latest News: “Samoa have only conceded eight points and scored 142 after two games.”
- SupportedAbbas Miskin scored Lebanon’s match-winner in the 85th minute.The Age - Latest News: “Abbas Miskin scored the match-winner in the 85th minute.”
- SupportedThere were celebrations for Waratahs-bound Michael Cheika.The Age - Latest News: “Celebrations for Waratahs-bound Michael Cheika.”