'Passion over pain': How Samoa outlasted Tonga in dramatic three-hour game

After a stoppage in play caused by severe weather, Toa Samoa coach Ben Gardiner reflected on a similar incident he witnessed during the NRL Round 15 match between the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs. He recalled that match while sitting with his partner at Accor Stadium, where the Souths rallied from an 18-0 deficit during a break, ultimately losing 24-18.

Uncertain about the length of the delay at Suncorp Stadium during Sunday's Pacific Championships, Gardiner encouraged his players to maintain a positive attitude and treat the final 20 minutes and 48 seconds against Tonga as if they were entering a new half.

As the delay extended to 95 minutes, he further urged them to approach it as an entirely new match. Samoa, which was leading 16-0 at the time of the stoppage, surged to a remarkable 34-6 victory. This win marked their first triumph since the World Cup semi-final against England in 2022 and secured them a spot in the Pacific Cup final on November 9 at CommBank Stadium.