Andrew Voss declared it may be “the greatest sporting theatre we have ever witnessed”.

In the highlight of the men’s Rugby League World Cup so far, Samoa’s stars advanced right up towards Australia’s players until they were nose to nose in a stirring Siva Tau.

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Brian To’o and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui even touched foreheads at one point while Jazz Tevaga took it to Jack Bostock and stared him down despite giving up 16 centimetres to the Kangaroos winger.

“These are footballers about to play rugby league. They’re not actors. They’re not in a movie,” Voss said in commentary on Channel 7.

“That’s the passion and emotion of representing your nation.”

“They’re (Samoa) up for it,” Kiwis legend Shaun Johnson added.

“It’s out of respect. You know exactly what this is all about. The Aussies acknowledged it, stood tough, stood physical, and Samoa did not back down one bit.”

It was the perfect tone-setter for Sunday’s semi-final, which will decide which team faces New Zealand in next week’s decider to determine the World Cup winner.

The Kangaroos players, to their credit, stood their ground during the spine-tingling Siva Tau and quickly put to bed any idea that they were intimidated by Samoa’s pre-game statement as Tom Dearden split the defence to score an early try.



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