In Samoa’s eyes, it was a cover tackle that “typified their spirit”.
But according to Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, Samoans Frank Pritchard and Sam Kasiano’s last gasp match-saving effort typified a penalty.
But one thing was certain in the aftermath of Samoa’s thrilling 18-16 win over Tonga – Pacific Tests should be here to stay.
Samoa coach Matt Parish could not hide his pride after Pritchard and Kasiano combined to defy Jorge Taufau’s match-winning try in the 78th minute.
Taufau looked set to clinch his third try – and the match for Tonga – when he set sail down the sideline, only for the Bulldogs brutes to clobber him into touch.
“It was fantastic, wasn’t it?” Parish gushed, slapping nearby captain Pritchard on the shoulder.
“That tackle typified their spirit and what it meant to play tonight.”
But Woolf cut a frustrated figure, saying Kasiano should have been penalised for a flying shoulder charge on Taufau.
“We were probably a bit unlucky with a couple of things – that try in particular I thought at least deserved a penalty,” he said.
“I thought there was shoulder (from Kasiano).”
Woolf also wasn’t happy with Dominique Peyroux not being penalised for a high shot on Tongan centre Konrad Hurrell in the dying seconds.
Pritchard did not want to dwell on negatives after their stirring win.
“Samoans are very passionate,” he said.
“We just dug deep. That cover tackle just lifted our spirits – it typified what type of game it is.
“We came away from that game with our heads held high.”
Parish’s grin vanished though when asked if the Pacific Test weekend – also featuring the Fiji-Papua New Guinea clash – should be an annual event.
“It depends on whether international rugby league want just three teams in their World Cup every year,” Parish said.
“There is no doubt whatsover that these teams can compete with Australia, New Zealand and England if they had a fair rub of the green.”
Pritchard had already covered himself in glory when he crashed over in the 56th minute to level the scores 14-all.
Tonga again edged ahead 16-14 with a 65th minute Solomone Kata penalty.
But Samoa weren’t to be denied thanks to Peyroux’s 70th minute jinking try and Pritchard and Kasiano’s heroics.
Matt
Guest
Parents and grandparents birthplace count too Alex. Pritchard like a number of players have dual eligibility. James Tamou could have played on the winning team today but chose Australia not NZ. If everything just came down to birthplace, GI would have been helping NSW win 8 in a row not QLD
Ra
Guest
Great stuff and worthy of more international games per year
The eye
Guest
rubbish..an annoying,never played the game comment
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It was a shoulder charge and should have been penalised as such. Probably a penalty try.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Agree 100%. That is the only way the game is going to grow internationally. Non of this alternate country rule.Tamou should never have played for Australia as a junior Kiwi and Marshall was a junior Kangaroo so he should have been made to stick with that.
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
How many props do you want ? Anyway NZ and Australia should get second pick after the Pacific nations if we are fair dinkum about growing the game internationally.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It was a shoulder charge under the laws of the game and should have been a penalty try. Apart from that a great game. A credit to both sides and to rugby league.Lets make it bigger and better. The crowds show we want top class internationals and these were two of them. Rugby league needs to tighten up their international criteria so players of this standard aren't lost to the Kangaroos or Kiwis.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
One game every couple of years mentality never helped. Given that the majority of the players ply their trade in the NRL, it would be very surprising indeed if the quality of these Island nation teams doesn't improve and eventually legitimately challenge the Big Three (or Two, depending on your point of view). It took me a while to accept it but the NRL is the de facto training ground for international rugby league. The rub of the green argument, I think, has to do with the lack of support and priority given to these second tiered Tests. Given that the standard wasn't always conducive to support (though that ought to be the reason why support is needed...) it's understandable that these teams would feel that way. But now that the players learn and master their trade in the NRL, those days seem to be over.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yeah, I tend to agree.
The eye
Guest
how did they go sideways ? physics..high extremity mass propelled by a high velocity impact..you wont see a better,more desperate try saving tandem tackle than that..heroic..Sam's won me..
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Pritchard only ever qualified for NZ by an alternate country rule.. he was born in Sydney and has lived there either all his life or very close to it!
Johnno
Guest
Add Cook Islands V NZ Maori next year, or Cook Islands V Nuie
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Samoa probably deserved a win over at least one of England or NZ in the four nations, they got absolutely rooted by the refereeing in that tournament.
BluesMan
Guest
Samoa won, I felt Tonga was the better side but made too many unforced errors. Tonga lost as soon as Feki was named, who would start that guy over Folau.
BluesMan
Guest
and in the 4 nations?
BluesMan
Guest
B.S
Jimmmy
Guest
Was at the game . What a fantastic afternoon , evening of Rugby League. The Junior Kiwis , junior Roos kicked things off. Watching future stars like Holmesand Maroea was an absolute delight. Then the Kumuls , Fiji game. The Kumuls had no right to keep in this game but they kept , coming and kept coming, they are the most fearless side I have seen for a while. And the prayer after the game when both teams joined together made you proud to be associated with this sport. Then the Tonga , Samoa game. Great atmosphere , wonderful support for both teams. There really didn't deserve to be a loser in this game, For mine the Kasiano challenge was OK, he missed . Whatever , it was wonderful Rugby league. I will say that is the most enjoyment I have had at the Footy for a long time. When teams play with passion and purpose and a game has real meaning to those involved, Rugby League really is the greatest game of all. Wherever this game is played in the future, do yourself a favour and make the effort to see it. It will make you feel good to be a Rugby League fan.
Craigo
Guest
@ cedric. The crowd at the pacific test was 12,000 plus about the same at the ALF Q clash at the GC.
Johnno
Guest
Auckland or West Sydney for pacific double-header
SpongeBob
Guest
How many more games do Australia, NZ, England teams play together? The World Cup IMO was rather low quality from the top sides, they didn't gel well at all which implies they haven't played much footy together. I'd rather have played the Australian side then the Rabbitohs at the end of last year that's for sure!