Rugby League World Cup 2026: Fans still reeling from titanic Pacific clash
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Reactions to Sunday night's record-breaking Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) game have shone a light on the pride Pasifika have for their nations and culture.

![Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scores a flying Try to bring Samoa close, but the Tonga 13 defeated Toa Samoa 20-18 in an extremely close back and forth 2nd half battle at the Rugby League World Cup, Parramatta, NSW, Australia. [Photo: Barry Markowitz] Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scores a flying Try](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/hamiso_tabuai-fidow_try.jpg?itok=3XYeYsW9)
![Team member Kennedy Nofoagatotoa (left), placed first with his 140KG Heaviest Barbell Complex. [Courtesy photo] Kennedy Nofoagatotoa (left)](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_1344.jpeg?itok=v_QQpGYx)
![Tupulua Vaouli and Ethan Galuvaea Lake Jr. carrying American Samoa’s flags during the Opening Ceremony of the historic Dakar Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. The games mark the first time an Olympic sporting event has been hosted on the African continent. [Courtesy photo] Tupulua Vaouli and Ethan Galuvaea Lake Jr](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/march.jpeg?itok=6Of6Q9TB)
![Savalalo Fish Market in Apia, where Samoa Observer journalists were told to seek Ministry approval before photographing fish and vendors or conducting interviews. [Photo: Junior S. Ami/ Samoa Observer] Savalalo Fish Market in Apia](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_fish_market.jpeg?itok=wkl8T2cf)
![Falaula Silivelio Aofia (right) stands outside his Tula residence with his wife, who is wheelchair-bound, and their granddaughter during a visit by Zoning Board member Jim McGuire (left) to discuss Aofia's concerns about the proposed CTC operation located near his family home. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau] zoning board visit](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_7446.jpg?itok=3fS19bTS)




