A lthough the hopes of Samoan fans were washed away like tears in Sydney’s rain, the true triumph of their World Cup campaign – and that of fellow semi-finalists Tonga – will endure. Both tiny island nations were represented with pride and passion in this tournament, with huge mobs of happy supporters trailing them around the nation.

Their players – a diamond-league diaspora of NRL stars honouring ancestral ties – have served that fanbase nobly this past month. But ultimately, the emotion of serving those supporters got the better of both sides as their bigger Pacific brothers, Australia and New Zealand, won through to the final on maturity and composure.

Allianz Stadium was a roiling ocean of Samoan flags on Sunday night. The red of courage and sacrifice and aiga (extended family) was everywhere with the blue of the Pacific.…