Toa Samoa Downs Mate Ma'a Tonga 20-18
Samoa 20 Tonga 18 R.L.W.C Quarter Final.
Photo: Supplied
The boys in blue have come out victorious in their quarterfinal matchup against rivals Mate Ma'a Tonga in what was truly a nail biting game to reach the semifinals for the first time in history.
Electricity was in the air as the two teams lined up for their war dances, it was evident during the cultural display of the siva tau and sipi tau that both teams wanted the win. In the opening five minutes of the game both teams were not willing to back down until Jadyn Su'a scored the first try for Samoa with a try under the posts to go up on the scoreboard 6-0 after a successful conversion by Stephen Chrichton.
A few minutes later Mate Ma'a responded with a try by winger Daniel Tupou to put the score at 4-6. Jarome Luai scored Toa Samoa's second try when he dummied his way across the whitewash to put Samoa ahead 12-4. However Mate Ma'a were able to claw their way back into the game when Sio Siua Taukeiaho scored to put the game at 12-10 just before halftime.
Katoa and Crichton exchanged penalties to make it 14-12 in Samoa's favor, before Brian To'o received Anthony Milford's cross field kick to score and put Samoa ahead 20-12.
The red machine however were not out just yet as they fought hard and were able to cross the try line with a few minutes remaining on the clock through Katoa to put the affair at 20-16, with the conversion successful 20-18.
The brave men in blue fought to the end and stood their ground until a Tongan kick was gathered up by Toa Samoa captain Junior Paulo. Samoa kept possession and ran the clock down and ended the match to advance to the semi finals for the first time in the history of Rugby League World Cup.
The boys in blue are set to meet England in the semis next Saturday, with Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish stating after the match that his team hopes to redeem their only loss to the world cup hosts