Tonga stuns Samoa to reach Rugby League World Cup semis

Tonga edged past Samoa in a tightly contested Rugby League World Cup quarter-final on the tournament's third weekend, earning a semi-final berth against New Zealand. The Pacific Island nation's victory sets up a compelling clash with the All Blacks as both teams bid for a place in the final.

Samoa's loss, while disappointing, does not end their World Cup campaign. The islanders have secured passage to the semi-finals where they will face Australia, the tournament's perennial powerhouses who have dominated world rugby league for decades.

The results mark a significant showing for Pacific Island nations at the tournament, with both Tonga and Samoa progressing to the knockout stage's penultimate round. The semi-finals promise high-quality rugby league action, pitting the Pacific Island representatives against traditional powerhouses from the Southern Hemisphere.

The outcomes also reflect the growing strength and competitiveness of Pacific nations in international rugby league, as both sides demonstrated the caliber required to compete at the sport's highest level during the tournament.