AUSTRALIA are into the World Cup final against New Zealand but their semi-final win over Samoa was full of flashpoints.
The first came before kick-off, Samoa defying modern convention by not only advancing over halfway on the Aussies following their Siva Tau but getting so close to the Cup holders that in some cases their foreheads were touching.
Tellingly, Brian To’o appeared to whisper something to Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who had previously played for Samoa, as they stood face to face.
Two minutes into the game, Fa’asuamaleaui found himself on report for a high challenge on Jermaine McEwen.
Then there was a ball thrown at the head of a Samoan player in backplay, away from the cameras, before Bradman Best’s 37th minute Australian try.
And after that try, Samoa firebrand Spencer Leniu approached referee Adam Gee and was sent to the sin bin for dissent.
Leniu was clearly upset with a video refereeing decision to take a try off Stephen Crichton, with an infinitesimal knock-on detected in the preceding aerial contest for the ball.
Australia had one foot on Suncorp Stadium when they led 26-2 at halftime.
Before Samoa’s first try, scored by Crichton, there was yet another flashpoint as Harry Grant and Jarome Laui clashed on the ground and Laui appear to lunge for a slap on the Australian hooker.
Reece Walsh secured a hat-trick, re-enacting his famous Wembley Superman finish from Wembley as he went over in the 67th minute.
While Samoa and Tonga have been massive draws at this tournament, the margins in the semi-finals do not suggest progress on the field.
AUSTRALIA 44 (Walsh 3 Dearden Preston Trbojevic Best Bostock tries Munster 4 goals) beat SAMOA 12 (Crichton Tago Tabuai-Fidow tries Crichton 2 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Crowd: 41,529,
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Reece Walsh (Brisbane); Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane), Bradman Best (Newcastle), Tom Trbojevic (Manly); Cameron Munster (Melbourne), Tom Dearden (North Queensland); Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane), Harry Grant (Melbourne), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast), Jacob Preston (Canterbury), Liam Martin (Penrith), Isaah Yeo (capt, Penrith).
Reserves: Ethan Strange (Canberra), Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney), Cameron Murray (South Sydney), Reuben Cotter (North Queensland), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney), Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters), Blayke Brailey (Cronulla).
SAMOA: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins); Brian To’o (Penrith), Izack Tago (Penrith), Stephen Crichton (Canterbury), Sualauvi Faalogo (Melbourne); Ronald Volkman (Parramatta), Jarome Luai (capt, Wests Tigers); Francis Molo (Dolphins), Benaiah Ioelu (Sydney Roosters), Junior Paulo (Parramatta), Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins), Jermaine McEwen (Newcastle), Francis Manuleleua (Newcastle).
Reserves: Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield), Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters), Shawn Blore (Melbourne), Ata Mariota (Canberra), Clayton Faulalo (Manly), Deine Mariner (Brisbane), Pasami Saulo (Newcastle).
Referee: Adam Gee.
