Sam Tomkins critical of Huddersfield Giants star as he notes “dumb play” from Samoa

After the game of the tournament, perhaps the game of the tournament’s history, Samoa have booked their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals thanks to a 20-18 win over Kristian Woolf’s Tonga.

In the end it was a Brian To’o try that proved the difference after a brutal affair between to physical yet skilled teams.

To’o’s try may have been what separated the sides at the end but it was Samoa’s defence at the end, even after a six again, which won them the game in the eyes of ex-St Helens man Jon Wilkin speaking on the BBC: “I think Samoa defended incredibly well, but let’s not forget that finish when Samoa just defended their way into the semi-finals after they gave away a six again.

“I think that’s what they can take from this game, an incredible defensive effort.”

Meanwhile, England skipper and BBC guest Sam Tomkins was more critical focusing on the fact they gave away the infringement: “It was really dumb play from Samoa to give them another crack at it.”

He was also critical of Tonga for the way they attacked at the end and specifically Huddersfield Giants star Tui Lolohea for not taking the game by the scruff of the neck: “Tonga had nothing. Their energy was completely gone, they came up with a kick play that came to nothing. You could see, they were looking around at each other, at this point they needed Tui Lolohea to grab hold of the game and say ‘this is how we’re going to get over the line’ and he didn’t do that for me.”

Jon Wilkin said that Tonga needed to be more organised and stated that Lolohea’s decision to kick was the “wrong call.”