This was supposed to be Samoa’s chance to challenge the wilting Kangaroos, whose patchy recent performance made them appear vulnerable – to make up for the loss in the last World Cup final, when Australia kept Toa Samoa scoreless for much of that defeat at Old Trafford.

So when the famed Siva Tau, Samoa’s pre-match ritual, brought the Samoans and the Australians close enough to kiss, the anticipation for this semi-final could not have been higher; the match seemed almost certain to explode.

Instead, it delivered a Samoan implosion, with ill-discipline and errors – amplified by the bunker’s lack of sympathy – making it all too easy for Australia. They romped home in a one-sided contest illuminated by the hat-trick from the never-dull Reece Walsh.

Samoa’s Siva Tau was the fiercest thing about them as they were beaten handsomely by Australia in the semi-final.…