The last-minute agreement which led to one of the best moments in the Rugby League World Cup

Yesterday we were treated to one of the greatest ever Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals as Samoa and Tonga clashed in a brutal and physical affair adorned by touches of skill throughout the game.

In the end, Samoa edged the game thanks to a penalty as both teams crossed for three tries.

The Samoans led 20-12 prior to a late Tonga break away try which gave them hope but despite consecutive sets on the Samoa line late on, they couldn’t find a way to win.

A special game but it may have been upstaged by what went before it as both teams performed their traditional war dances at the same time with the Sipi Tau and Siva Tau done at the same time.

After the game, speaking to Fox League, Samoa skipper Junior Paulo revealed how this decision came about:

“When we headed out to the coin toss there was talks about who was going to go first.

“I just spoke to Jase (Taumalolo) and threw the question out there if we wanted to do it together thinking it’s a good sign of unity between the two nations and the support over rugby league in general.

“It’s a really proud moment, for myself too, my partner’s Tongan and my kids are half and half so it’s always going to be a tough conversation about who to support.

“But I think that’s the best thing about celebrating both cultures.”