Lebanon's late match against France produced a sequence the writer rated among the greatest finishes ever: a near-try, a 40-metre drop goal, a disallowed winning field goal and a missed penalty.
Sunday's Tonga-Samoa contest also lived up to its extraordinary pre-match build-up, with the crowd's noise felt in the ground and the result undecided until the final minute.
Robert Toia was arguably the standout, but Isaiya Katoa's class was seen as the difference between the teams; only Australia and New Zealand have comparable halves.
Ronald Volkman changed the contest after entering from the bench, offering Eels fans a glimpse of a possible 2026 partnership with Jarome Luai.
Mitch Moses is expected to start at halfback, but State of Origin commitments and his injury history could give Volkman an opportunity.
The writer judged Ronaldo Mulitalo's high shoulder charge accidental but worthy of a send-off and suspension, although one week seemed lenient.
Brandon Wakeham's shot was described as worse: he struck an unaware player on the ground, yet received only a one-week ban.
The writer warned that players might stay down more often after Mulitalo was dismissed for knocking Ronald Philitoga out, while a similar France-Lebanon incident brought only a penalty and report.
Despite criticism of the tournament format and some expected heavy defeats, the four leading nations advanced; Tonga had overwhelmed England, and the writer expected Samoa, New Zealand and Australia to do likewise.
Major contract re-signings arrived before November 1, but many prominent players remained unsigned, promising further movement in the coming weeks and months.