By Josh Graham at Halliwell Jones Stadium

Anthony Milford hauled Samoa into a spicy semi-final rematch with England after they toppled Tonga 20-18 in a -breathtaking quarter-final.

Matt Parish’s men were embarrassed 60-6 in the tournament’s opening game against the hosts but will have a shot at revenge at the Emirates on Saturday after outlasting their fellow Pacific Islanders in Warrington.

Milford assisted Jaydn Su’a for the opener before Daniel Tupou responded only for Jarome Luai and Siosiua Taukeiaho to exchange scores to leave the match finely poised at 12-10 at half-time.

After the sides traded penalties, Milford’s kick allowed Brian To’o to extend the Samoa lead before Sione Katoa’s breakaway score teed up a nervy finish.

However, Samoa held on to claim their first win in three against their Polynesian neighbours and secure a first-ever Rugby League World Cup semi-final.

A spine-tingling start with the Siva Tau and Sipi Tau taking place simultaneously replicated the group stage match from 2017 as the two sides eye-balled one another in the centre of the field in front of a packed house of 12,674.

Try stop Suaali'i!

Joseph Suaali'i with an incredible run to put Samoa in great position, before Brian To'o touches down to extend Samoa's lead.

This is some game!#RLWC2021 | #TONSAM | @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/9Fgz2SVW8Z
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) November 6, 2022

Samoa drew first blood as wily scrum-half Milford’s deft short ball found the onrushing Su’a who rounded a helpless Will Hopoate to give Parish’s side a 6-0 lead in as many minutes.

But Tonga hit straight back, capitalising on a penalty conceded by Samoa full-back Joseph Suaali’I for raising his knee into contact. The returning Hopoate’s fantastic, floated pass found Tupou who squeezed in at the corner for his sixth try in three games.

Tupou almost had another as Isaiya Katoa looked for the towering Sydney Rooster on the last, but he could not hold onto the ball under immense pressure from To’o.

Tupou went from hero to zero when his wild offload forced Tonga to concede a goalline drop-out and Jarome Luai’s dancing feet made Kristian Woolf’s side pay in the ensuing set to put Samoa 12-4 up at the end of the first quarter.

Tupou’s mixed fortunes continued when he shelled a high ball to put his side further under the pump, which they could only reverse by straying offside.

Samoa earned a repeat set before Suaali’I was stopped inches short only for Oregon Kaufusi to drop a simple pass when his side had the perfect attacking platform.

Skipper Jason Taumalolo’s powerful carry got Tonga pumping down field and they hit back when Soni Luke’s deft grubber on the line was gleefully collected by fellow interchange Taukeiaho to reduce the deficit to two points with six minutes of the first half remaining.

Samoa had two gilt-edged chances to increase their lead before the break as the numbers piled up on the left edge, but Tonga held on and were relieved to get back to the sheds only 12-10 down.

Game on.#RLWC2021 | #TONSAM | @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/gOH3uBPfvP
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) November 6, 2022

Both sides threatened early in the second period before Isaiya Katoa kicked Tonga level with half-an-hour to play after Samoa repeatedly infringed.

Tonga’s ascendancy was short lived as Stephen Crichton responded with a penalty of his own before a rampaging run from Suaali’I had the Samoa fans on their feet.

Milford’s hanging high ball went begging in the air and To’o was the grateful recipient of the bouncing ball to open up an eight-point lead heading into the final quarter.

Samoa made inroads into the Tonga half at ease and Felise Kaufusi’s high shot had Woolf’s men with their backs against the ropes, but a knock-on spared them further damage.

However, Tonga came out swinging, Keaon Koloamatangi scooped up Luai’s kick and burst 35 metres down field before Mosese Suli’s searing break behind the ruck and perfect offload to Sione Katoa set up a pulsating finish with just two points separating the sides with nine minutes to go.

The hits came flying in from both sides as they dug deep looking for something special to swing the tie.

Tonga earnt a repeat set in the dying seconds but Tui Lolohea’s grubber came to nothing, Samoa captain Junior Paulo pouncing on the loose ball to send his country’s supporters into raptures as they celebrated their first foray into the last four.

The Rugby League World Cup promises to be the biggest, best and most inclusive event in the sport’s 127-year history with men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams competing in 61 games across 21 venues throughout England. Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets