Samoa sweat over semi-final availability

Australia and Samoa players at the Rugby League World Cup.

Tonga's 20-18 victory over Samoa on Sunday earned them a Rugby League World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, while Samoa are set to meet Australia.

Samoa face selection concerns after Chanel Harris-Tavita left with a hamstring injury and Junior Paulo was placed on report for a shoulder charge.

Ronald Volkman is the likely replacement if Harris-Tavita cannot play.

Panthers centre Izack Tago could also come under review after appearing to kick Tonga winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in the 57th minute, when Watene-Zelezniak was on the ground after being tackled into touch.

The incident was missed by both the on-field referee and the Bunker official. Kicking is prohibited, and Tago could face a suspension that rules him out of the semi-final.

On Channel 7, David Riccio said: "It's all about where the contact landed, and did he attempt to wrap the arms? I say no. I think that puts him in danger, it's a genuine shoulder charge and whether there is head contact."

Samoa scored four tries to Tonga's three, but Harris-Tavita and Volkman managed just one goal between them. Coach Ben Gardiner said: "That's one of those things that happens in rugby league," and added, "But I'm very happy with the level of performance, the intensity and the way we went about the business."

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said: "This group can do anything. We left four tries out there - two in the second half - and we've got plenty of improvement left in us. We keep heading on the right track but they (this team) can do anything."

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