DIEHARD
01-11-08, 01:32 AM
Pacific derby compared to Origin
RUGBY league officials immediately announced they would make Samoa-Tonga an annual event after last night's World Cup epic at CUA Stadium was compared to the birth of State of Origin.
In their first game together, the Nigel Vagana-inspired Samoans eliminated Tonga from pool three and set up a possible semi-final clash with Australia when tries either side of halftime gave them a bruising, thrill-a-minute 20-12 victory.
But enduring image from the night was the large chunk of a vocal 11,787 crowd invading the field at fulltime, with Fox Sports sideline eye Scott Sattler bowled over live on air and Samoa's local hero Tony Puletua chaired from the field in his final game at Penrith.
Despite the fear of violence, there was no evidence of crowd trouble.
"We're going to make it an annual fixture," Rugby League International Federation development officer Tas Baitieri, who warned a Samoan for stepping over halfway during the pre-match wardances, said.
"The idea is that next year Samoa and Tonga play off to be added to the following season's Tri-Nations, making it a Quad-Nations."
The Daily Telegraph can reveal there is a push for the annual tournament to become a Five Nations from 2010, with France and a Pacific qualifier to take part every year.
Samoa captain Nigel Vagana said both countries were ready to play at the top level "for the next 100 years" while second-rower David Solomona reckoned comparisons with the first Origin match in 1980 at Lang Park were not over the top.
"Hopefully it can be like that," he said. "Sixty per cent of the Toyota Cup is Polynesian. If we can get these as annual events, it's only going to make international rugby league better.
"Whoever's in charge of international league, if they came to the game today and you went to Australia-New Zealand, you tell me who's more passionate?"
Samoa looked to have broken their bitter rivals' backs when George Carmont's try made it 20-12 in the 54th minute but the Tongan defence was nothing short of heroic as they repelled attacks.
While Tonga are now out, Ireland can go through if they beat the Samoans by six or more at Parramatta Stadium on Wednesday.
But John Ackland's side are now 80 minutes away from a semi-final appointment with Australia.
SAMOA 20 (G Carmont, F Meli, M Utai, N Vagana tries; B Roberts 2 goals) TONGA 12 (M Jennings, T Leo-Latu tries; T Williams 2 goals). Referee: S Hayne. Crowd: 11,787
http://www.news.com.au
RUGBY league officials immediately announced they would make Samoa-Tonga an annual event after last night's World Cup epic at CUA Stadium was compared to the birth of State of Origin.
In their first game together, the Nigel Vagana-inspired Samoans eliminated Tonga from pool three and set up a possible semi-final clash with Australia when tries either side of halftime gave them a bruising, thrill-a-minute 20-12 victory.
But enduring image from the night was the large chunk of a vocal 11,787 crowd invading the field at fulltime, with Fox Sports sideline eye Scott Sattler bowled over live on air and Samoa's local hero Tony Puletua chaired from the field in his final game at Penrith.
Despite the fear of violence, there was no evidence of crowd trouble.
"We're going to make it an annual fixture," Rugby League International Federation development officer Tas Baitieri, who warned a Samoan for stepping over halfway during the pre-match wardances, said.
"The idea is that next year Samoa and Tonga play off to be added to the following season's Tri-Nations, making it a Quad-Nations."
The Daily Telegraph can reveal there is a push for the annual tournament to become a Five Nations from 2010, with France and a Pacific qualifier to take part every year.
Samoa captain Nigel Vagana said both countries were ready to play at the top level "for the next 100 years" while second-rower David Solomona reckoned comparisons with the first Origin match in 1980 at Lang Park were not over the top.
"Hopefully it can be like that," he said. "Sixty per cent of the Toyota Cup is Polynesian. If we can get these as annual events, it's only going to make international rugby league better.
"Whoever's in charge of international league, if they came to the game today and you went to Australia-New Zealand, you tell me who's more passionate?"
Samoa looked to have broken their bitter rivals' backs when George Carmont's try made it 20-12 in the 54th minute but the Tongan defence was nothing short of heroic as they repelled attacks.
While Tonga are now out, Ireland can go through if they beat the Samoans by six or more at Parramatta Stadium on Wednesday.
But John Ackland's side are now 80 minutes away from a semi-final appointment with Australia.
SAMOA 20 (G Carmont, F Meli, M Utai, N Vagana tries; B Roberts 2 goals) TONGA 12 (M Jennings, T Leo-Latu tries; T Williams 2 goals). Referee: S Hayne. Crowd: 11,787
http://www.news.com.au