Fonua-Blake's Late Try Gives Tonga Thrilling 20-18 Win Over Samoa as Semi-Finals Are Locked In

Addin Fonua-Blake's late try delivered Tonga a thrilling 20-18 win over Samoa in an outstanding Rugby League World Cup clash between the two fierce Pacific rivals at a sold-out CommBank Stadium in Sydney. Fonua-Blake slipped through the defensive line for the vital score, converted by Isaiya Katoa to put Tonga ahead 20-18, and the lead held through a frantic finish. Earlier, Robert Toia and Jojo Fifita had crossed for Tonga, while Samoa hit back through Brian To'o's double and tries from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Ronald Volkman to take the lead, with Volkman providing a massive spark after five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita left the game early with a hamstring injury. The result locks in the semi-finals: Tonga will take on New Zealand next Saturday in Newcastle, while Samoa will face Australia in Sydney on Sunday. It also ends England's tournament, since England needed Tonga to beat Samoa by over 40 points to survive. Instead, Tonga's two-point triumph confirmed the last four.