The majority of the 17,802 fans on hand in Sydney’s south-west were treated to an end-to-end rugby league spectacle, which played out as a tale of two halves after Tonga threatened to post a huge win at half-time.

They led 36-6 early in the second half before Samoa kicked into life, running in three straight tries to silence the pro-Tonga crowd before Kristian Woolf’s side steadied to wrap up the win.

Tonga would now love nothing more than to test themselves against world champions Australia.

''There’s been a lot of talk about a game at the end of the year against Australia and that’s something we want to make happen,'' Woolf said.

''I certainly implore the NRL and international rugby league to make that happen.''

Despite the try-scoring fest, this was a bruising encounter up the middle and both forward packs defended willingly. Samoa lost Sam Kasiano early to a right knee injury and the Melbourne Storm forward didn’t recover. Tonga’s Manu Ma’u also didn’t see out the last 18 minutes when he was forced off with a suspected fractured cheekbone.

Samoa’s fightback came while Tongan powerhouse Andrew Fifita was off the field.
Tim Lafai kicked his side into gear with a determined run over on the left edge, then minutes later Tyrone May forced himself over from close to the line. Fifita returned and Tonga steadied momentarily until Jorge Taufua, who used to play for Tonga before switching his allegiance to honour his mother’s Samoan heritage, reduced the margin to 16.

That was the last time Samoa crossed the stripe, to the joy of the passionate crowd.
Tonga were almost unstoppable in the first half, scoring six tries to one as they flexed their international muscle putting on a superb advertisement for rugby league.

‘‘There was a period where they scored three tries in a row, we had no ball,’’ Samoa coach Matt Parish said. ‘‘They got some momentum and Idon’t think any team could’ve stopped Tonga the way they came at us then.’’

But it was Samoa who started best when James Gavet scored in just the second minute, the Warriors prop charging over from close range after his side was awarded a penalty in their opening set to march them upfield.

After that, the tide turned significantly as Tonga picked up where they left off during last year’s World Cup where they only narrowly missed a place in the final.

Siliva Havili started the rout, throwing a dummy and forcing his way over before Jason Taumalolo’s surging run helped set up halfback Ata Hingano under the posts.

Time and again Samoa were getting caught short out wide and Tonga took full advantage down the right as Konrad Hurrell and then Robert Jennings touched down.

Will Hopoate was next to earn a place on the scoresheet before he set up Daniel Tupou, this time taking Samoa’s right-side defence which proved just as short as the opposite side of the ground.

Tonga 38 (S Havili, A Hingano, W Hopoate, K Hurrell, R Jennings, T Tatola, D Tupou tries; S Taukeiaho 5 goals) bt Samoa 22 (J Gavet, T Lafai, T May, J Taufua tries; M Lino 3 goals) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 17,802.