Sunday’s Rugby League World Cup quarter-final between Tonga and Samoa will go down in the tournament’s history.
The two Pacific Island nations served up a show of skill, speed and power at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in one of the best last eight matches the World Cup has seen.
But while the action and entertainment was outstanding on the pitch, it wasn’t bad off it too.
The typically lively Tongan and Samoan fans filled the streets surrounding Warrington’s ground, creating an carnival-like atmosphere.
And AAPsport journalist George Clarke was right in the thick of it as the Tongan fans took over the Tesco car park opposite the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Just a regular Sunday in the car park of Tesco in Warrington, Tongans stopping traffic to dance. There’s a man dressed as Santa and another as a horse. pic.twitter.com/CcSVsi8W6p
— George Clarke (@GLR_Clarke) November 6, 2022
That was followed up a short while later by an incredible moment on the pitch before the game as both teams simultaneously carried out their respective war dances in a spine-tingling moment.
The video has since gone viral on social media with the match and everything surrounding it in Warrington sure to have attracted many new fans to the sport of rugby league.
Now THIS is what you call a face-off! 👀
Talk about goosebumps…#BBCRL #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/31MQVrS84k
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 6, 2022
The fans of both nations also repesented their colours on the other side of the world ahead of the crunch clash, with Samoa supporters in particular lining the streets of Auckland to create another party atmosphere.
Mangere Town Centre this evening – Samoans taking over the carpark to let off some steam before the game tonight is it? 😂
Samoa vs Tonga from 3am NZT & 1am AEDT to see who will advance on to the @rlwc2021 semi final.
Who ya got?! 🇼🇸 or 🇹🇴?#RugbyLeagueWorldCup #Samoa #Tonga pic.twitter.com/Bi7T5FICmK
— The Coconet (@TheCoconetTV) November 6, 2022
As mentioned, the game certainly didn’t fail to live up to expectations as the game of the tournament was served up.
In the end it was Samoa who prevailed 20-18 to set up a semi-final clash against host nation England at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
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