The original was epic, but the rematch will be even better with Australia to play New Zealand on Sunday night in a World Cup final that will be lit up by Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga.
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Walsh scored a hat-trick on Sunday night as the Kangaroos made a semi-final statement with a crushing 44-12 victory over an ill-disciplined Samoa side.
Samoa may have opened the scoring with a penalty goal but the game was over by half-time with the Kangaroos up 26-2.
Australia’s props totally outplayed their rivals which allowed the likes of Walsh, Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster to feast.
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Johnson goes in on semi final officials | 00:32
The performances of Dearden and Walsh certainly vindicated coach Kevin Walters, who elected to retain the pair for the semi-final at the expense of James Tedesco and Sam Walker.
Dearden scored the first, Munster set up three tries and Walsh did the rest as the Aussies produced their best 80 minutes of the tournament.
It sets up a rematch with the Kiwis after the trans-Tasman rivals produced an all-time classic a few weeks ago in the tournament opener that saw the Kangaroos strike late to win it.
The two sides will face off at 7.35pm AEDT in front of a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.
Hit to Martin’s chin denies Samoa | 00:32
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
Walsh and Ponga put on a show in Sydney a few weeks ago and will light it up in Brisbane on Sunday night.
Ponga made his return from a broken arm for the Kiwis on Saturday and was fantastic, but Walsh was even better in the second semi.
The flashy fullback scored his first just after the half hour mark and celebrated the try with a slick flip before he borrowed the security guard’s seat to put on his boot.
Walsh was involved in everything and backed up a Munster break to complete his hat-trick before his quick hands helped Jack Bostock score in the corner.
Walshy with the wheels and flippin’ cele | 00:32
PRE-GAME MAGIC
The standoff between Tonga and New Zealand on Saturday night was the entrée for an epic moment in the second semi-final.
Samoa traditionally stands on their side of halfway for the Siva Tau but they got in the faces of the Kangaroos in extraordinary pre-game scenes.
Jazz Tevaga didn’t break eye contact with the towering Jack Bostock, while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui would have been able to smell the hot chips and aioli that Brian To’o had for breakfast as they stood nose to nose.
It was the perfect way to fire up the 41,529 fans at Allianz Stadium which was the fifth largest crowd at the venue since it reopened.
Samoa’s spine-tingling Siva Tau | 00:28
FLYING THE FLAG
The rise of Tonga and Samoa over the years has awoken the sleeping giant of international rugby league.
But both nations will be disappointed with how they exited the World Cup against the two traditional powerhouses.
Samoa’s discipline was poor in the first half even if they didn’t get the rub of the green, with the men in blue more interested in scuffles than playing footy in the final few minutes.
They burnt an early challenge which led directly to a Dearden try from the scrum, they misses simple tackles and were denied a try because of a drop in the contest.
The standard has been set and it’s now up to guys like Sua Fa’alogo and Francis Manuleleua to carry them forward.
Hit to Martin’s chin denies Samoa | 00:32
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR PARRA
Samoa’s loss could impact the Eels to start the 2027 season after Jarome Luai was placed on report for a lifting tackle, while Spencer Leniu was sent to the sin bin for dissent.
Luai was penalised for a heavy tackle on Bostock that sparked a melee late in the first half before Leniu was marched for mouthing off at the officials after Bradman Best scored.
The Eels now have to worry about the match review committee’s charges to come out, with the blue and golds desperate to have their star recruits available for round one.
Luai lost his head just minutes into the second half when he tried to start something with Harry Grant and was lucky things didn’t explode, while Leniu made two sloppy errors.
Leniu sent to the bin for Samoa | 00:27
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TEAMS
1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) 8. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ethan Strange 16. Cameron Murray 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Latrell Mitchell 21. Sam Walker 22. Blayke Brailey
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Jarome Luai (c) 8. Francis Molo 14. Jazz Tevaga 10. Junior Paulo (c) 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Francis Manuleleua 9. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Shawn Blore 17. Ata Mariota 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Deine Mariner 20. Pasami Saulo