Tonga and Samoa write another chapter in World Cup history

As predicted pre-match, Samoa and Tonga produced one of the greatest Rugby League World Cup matches on Sunday in Sydney to write another chapter in an epic series of games between the two proud Pacific nations but were you there for their first World Cup qualification clash back in 2006 at AMT Headingley?

Back then, the game was a curtain raiser to England v France with just 5,547 fans present, showing the incredible growth for both nations in the last twenty years with the 30,000 tickets in Sydney sold out over a week before the game. Prior to the game at AMT Headingley, the two countries had met previously in the Southern Hemisphere in the Pacific Cup but this was their first game under the World Cup banner which also doubled up as part of the Federations Shield, involving England and France. 

The Samoan side that day only included four players who were then contracted to first grade clubs. This included captain George Carmont, then at Newcastle Knights before a move to Wigan, Melbourne's Smith Samau, prop Hutch Maiava from Cronulla and Castleford second row Gray Viane. Of the other players, prop Frank Winterstein went on to have the longest career with 176 appearances whilst Tangi Ropati, Malo Solomona, Albert Talipeau, Shannon Stowers and Junior Tia Kilifi all went on to make first grade debuts.

The Tongan side included Solomon Haumono and Tyrone Smith, who were both playing at Harlequins RL in Super League at the time. They were joined in the Tongan team by another player with British club experience Richard Fa’aoso who played for Castleford Tigers. Whilst they also had seven players who were playing in the NRL most notably prop Fuifui Moimoi whilst two players who would make a name for themselves in Hull later in their career, Mickey Paea and Sam Moa were on the bench.

Samoa were favourites going into the game, sitting top the World Cup qualifier group with four points having defeated Fiji and Cook Islands already whilst Tonga were in third place with two points having suffered a surprise defeat by Fiji.

Tonga got out to a 12-6 at half but with Samoa knowing they only needed to lose by six or less to qualifier for the 2008 World Cup in Australia it set up an epic second half. Tonga added a try through Taniela Tuiaki in the second half, converted by Joel Taufa'ao. 

Conrad Ta'aamoekiafa crossed for what looked like a crucial try for Samoa but the kick was missed by Tangi Ropati and the eight point loss secured a World Cup spot for Tonga and Fiji at the expense of Samoa. 

All was not lost for Samoa however as they went into the Repêchage. Having comfortably defeated USA 42-10 at Widnes the following year, they then saw off Lebanon 38-16 in Glasgow to qualify for the 2008 World Cup in Australia. 

Tonga progressed to the Federation Shield Final at Widnes against an England A team made up mainly of young players, all from Super League and coached by Paul Cullen. First-half scores from Rob Purdham, Brett Ferres and Mark Calderwood helped England to an 18-10 half-time lead. Tonga closed to 18-14 but England went clear with two tries before Tonga's discipline deserted them with three Tongan's sin binned before Solomon Haumono and Joe Foliaki saw red after a mass brawl. As well as Calderwood, the England team also included Rhinos Ryan Bailey, Ashley Gibson, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Lee Smith and Nick Scruton. 

Tonga: Fetuli Talanoa; Tyrone Smith, Andrew Emilio, Lelea Paea, ‘Etuate Uaisele; Feleti Mateo, Joel Taufa’ao; Solomon Haumono, Kim Uasi, FuiFui MoiMoi, Richard Fa’aoso, Lopini Paea, Willie Tupou. 
Interchange: Mickey Paea, Taniela Tuiaki, Sam Moa, Maka Ritcher

Samoa: Tangi Ropati, Malo Solomona, Miguel Start, George Carmont, Smith Samau, Rota Setu, Chan Ly, Hutch Maiava, Albert Talipeau, Shannon Stowers, Frank Winterstein, Gray Viane, McConkie Tauasa
Interchange: Chris Vaefaga, Peewee Moke, Junior Tia Kilifi, Conrad Ta'amoekiafa

Referee: Steve Ganson
Attendance: 5,547