RLWC RECAP: Epic contest decided by millimetres as Tonga claims bragging rights
Key Updates
Latest posts
That’s it from us
Thanks for tuning into our LIVE coverage of Sunday’s World Cup action.
We’ll catch you next time!
What’s coming next?
New Zealand will play Tonga in men’s (8.05pm AEDT) and Samoa in women’s (5.45pm AEDT) at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, November 7.
The Australian Kangaroos will play Samoa at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, November 8 at 8.05pm AEDT. The semi-final will also feature the Jillaroos against Fiji’s women’s team at 5.45pm AEDT.
TONGA WINS
What a finish to this spectacle!
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow flew high and took a bomb clean 10 metres from the line but his pass couldn’t find the winger. It went forward and dribbled out to the sideline.
Tonga holds on, the crowd sings and the score finishes 20-18.
The Tongans are celebrating like they’ve won a grand final. We need a three-match series of this.
Has Sua done it?
Sua Fa’alogo has gone over but is it a try?
It’s very close in the corner and the referee has sent it up as no try.
The Bunker reveals his foot is on the line and it’s no try. Tonga leads 20-18.
Sua Fa’alogo’s foot on the line. Seven
AFB has gone straight through!
Oh boy, this crowd is going berserk now!
Addin Fonua-Blake has put Tonga back into the contest.
AFB managed to get on the outside of Spencer Leniu’s outside shoulder and it looked like Leniu couldn’t handle the big man well on his left and attempting to tackle low.
Fonua-Blake broke the tackle easily and then scored before putting his hands up for the crowd.
Isaiya Katoa converts and Tonga has the lead against at 20-18.
Ronald Volkman has changed the game!
The half has put Samoa ahead!
The ball went through various hands from the middle towards the right edge before Volkman stepped past Lolohea and then muscled and rolled off Lehi Hopoate to score a brilliant solo effort.
Volkman now lines up his kick and he’s slotted it. Samoa leads 18-14.
Hold the phone!
The Hammer has gone over and Samoa are in the match!
They spread the ball to the left on the shortside with quick hands and Fa’alogo ran free.
He and Tabuai-Fidow had a two-on-one against Lehi Hopoate and the Dolphins fullback took the catch and ran away to score.
Ronald Volkman making an impact here after replacing Harris-Tavita.
Volkman misses and it’s Tonga leading 14-12.
Samoa has been denied!
Lehi Hopoate has pulled off a miracle!
Ben Ioelu was over for certain, he dived over the line but Hopoate whacked the ball out of his hand in a desperate play.
Sensational.
Another pinball try … but injury hits
They’ve done it again, Samoa!
Luai put the kick across field and Koula went up for it. He couldn’t control possession with Crichton contesting.
Chanel Harris-Tavita managed to take the ball out of the air and throw it over his head before Brian To’o went over for a second.
And now Harris-Tavita has done his hammy! He’s done it kicking for goal, this is becoming incredibly common after Ashton Ward and Luke Metcalf.
“This is enormous news,” Corey Parker said on Seven.
Chanel Harris-Tavita after kicking for goal. Seven
Just a word on the crowd too, it’s 29,411. That’s the biggest for a sports game at CommBank Stadium.
