Hammer‑Standing Showdown: To’o Fires Back as Tonga‑Samoa Clash Lights Up CommBank Stadium

The group match between Tonga and Samoa at a packed CommBank Stadium turned into a spectacle when Tonga’s Toia literally stood up the iconic “Hammer”, prompting an immediate response from Samoa’s To’o.

To’o’s quick‑fire retaliation kept the momentum swinging in Samoa’s favour, and the two Pacific powerhouses traded hard hits and relentless drives, giving fans a taste of pure, unfiltered rugby league intensity.

Meanwhile, on the same night, Lebanon and France battled to a dead‑heat that was finally broken in golden‑point extra time, with Lebanon emerging victorious. The sudden‑death finish added an extra layer of excitement to an already electric evening.

Spectators at the Sydney venue were treated to a night of non‑stop action, from the hammer‑standing drama to the nail‑biting golden‑point conclusion, underscoring why the Rugby League World Cup continues to deliver unforgettable moments.