Overview
- Tonga beat Samoa 20-18 on Sunday to claim the second spot in the combined Pool B/C table and will face New Zealand in the first semi.
- Samoa’s loss hands them a rematch with Australia in the other semi and confirmed England’s elimination on points difference after the final group round.
- Judiciary rulings from the final round handed New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo a one‑match ban and issued a one‑game suspension to Fiji’s Brandon Wakeham.
- Samoa playmaker Chanel Harris‑Tavita left the Tonga match with a hamstring issue and is now a doubt for the semis, forcing Samoa to consider back‑up options.
- Critics have pointed to the 10‑team, partial cross‑group format and heavy use of points difference as magnifying early losses, while the rise of Pacific nations and moves like the planned PNG Chiefs NRL entry underline shifting international dynamics.