Brian To'o dives to score the team's first try against Australia Photo: AFP / Oli Scarff
Toa Samoa gave the firm favourites Australia a real battle in the Rugby League World Cup final, going down 30-10 in Manchester, England, this morning.
Australia have now the title 12 times in total since the first such event in 1954.
But it was Samoa who were the favourites of almost all of the 67,502 crowd at Old Trafford and millions more watching on television, with the stadium erupting when Samoa scored their two tries.
Samoa were the first Pacific Island team to reach the final in World Cup history after their thrilling golden-point victory over hosts England in the last four.
But after their solid start, two early tries from Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco set firm favourites Australia on course to continue their domination of the competition.
Liam Martin's third try of the tournament, after a sustained spell of Samoa pressure, gave the holders a 14-0 lead which they held until the break, before another converted try from Cameron Murray in the second half put Australia in total control.
To their credit, the Samoans did not give up and nearly brought the house down when Brian To'o deservedly got them on the scoresheet with a well-worked try, getting fans dreaming of a remarkable comeback.
The Kangaroos quickly dashed any such hopes with another try, a second of the game from Tedesco, before Samoa did have one more memory to take home from a memorable tournament as Stephen Crichton intercepted the ball and crossed the line.
Mitchell had the final say for the brilliant Kangaroos with another fine try in the final minute, ensuring that since 1972 Australia have only returned from one World Cup without the trophy in their hands.
The Samoans did a lap on honour at the end of the trophy presentation, having enjoyed a remarkable tournament that saw them recover from a 60-6 hammering against England in their opening group game to go all the way to the final.
"The result is disappointing, but for the effort and commitment, I could not be prouder of the group," head coach Matt Parish said.
"We did not get close enough to put enough pressure on them. We needed that bit of luck and needed a lot of things to go right for us today."
Samoa's Brian To'o celebrates after scoring the team's first try during the Rugby League World Cup Men's final between Australia and Samoa at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP
- Reuters