By Josh Graham at Riverside Stadium

Tonga’s 16-try demolition of Cook Islands ensured they will face felow Pacific Islanders Samoa in the quarter-finals as Group D winners.

Jason Taumalolo’s emphatic return to action with two tries plus four for centre Will Penisini ensured the 2017 semi-finalists finished the group stage with a 100 percent record.

Here are five things we learned about Kristian Woolf’s side as they head into the last eight at Warrington next weekend.

Taumalolo takes Tonga to next level

Jason Taumalolo was certainly worth the wait.

The North Queensland Cowboys lock started the match like a freight train, sending would-be opposition tacklers flying as his power proved too much in the middle for the Cook Islanders.

Bosh!

Jason Taumalolo bulldozes his way to his first try of #RLWC2021 #TONCKI @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/qtzAGYJT4A
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 30, 2022

Two tries, 171 metres and nine tackle breaks will have dusted the cobwebs off nicely, having sat out the opening two games through suspension.

Tonga had failed to set the tournament alight after stuttering to wins over Wales and Papua New Guinea but with Taumalolo back in the pack they are a different proposition going forward.

Peaking at the right time crucial

You cannot win the World Cup in the group stage.

Tonga were unconvincing victors in their first two games against Papua New Guinea and Wales which had many doubting their tournament prospects.

READ MORE: Match Report: Tonga 92-10 Cook Islands

But a resounding demolition of the Cook Islands suggests they are building nicely ahead of the quarter-finals and are still a force to be reckoned with.

Woolf knows how to win

Kristian Woolf is fresh from a fantastic spell in charge of St Helens which yielded a hat-trick of Super League titles.

He knows better than anyone how winning is a habit and Tonga showed they can get the job done in a slightly ugly manner in their first two games.

Woolf has the experience of English conditions and a great bond with his players to match which could be crucial when the curtain comes down on this tournament.

The history books will remember Tesi Niu's hat-trick.

But we'll remember Mosese Suli's step and run #RLWC2021 #TONCKI pic.twitter.com/0GLvHDM2lM
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 30, 2022

With Tonga’s trajectory increasingly heading in the right direction, it would be no surprise to see them head to the capital for a potential semi-final rematch with England at the Emirates on November 12.

Polynesian power to meet in quarters

Samoa's comfortable victory over France means the two Polynesian powerhouses will do battle in Warrington next Sunday.

Matt Parish's side bounced back from that demoralising defeat to England first up with professional perfomances over Greece and Les Chanticleers to earn their spot as runners-up in Group A behind the hosts.

A MONSTER OF A HIT!

Junior Paulo with the biggest shot of RLWC2021 so far?#RLWC2021 | #SAMFRA | @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/DiAhE4KY3x
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 30, 2022

The prize on offer could be a rematch with England if Shaun Wane's men can prevail over likely last-eight opponents Papua New Guinea in Wigan on Saturday.

One thing is for sure, the mighty clash up front between Tonga and Samoa is not one to be missed with the two captains in Taumalolo and Junior Paulo likely to be setting a ferocious example in the middle.

Cook Islands bow out with little fanfare

Tony Iro was left fuming at a lack effort form his Cook Islands side after they crumbled to their worst ever defeat, eclipsing 84-10 loss to New Zealand at the 2000 World Cup.

The Kukis shipped 16 tries and were fortunate to score even the 12 points they mustered after a lacklustre display in the first ever rugby league match held at Riverside Stadium.

While some one-sided scorelines reflect a genuine disparity between sides, this smacked of one team with one eye on heading home and another firmly eyeing the quarter-finals.

A short turnaround from Tuesday to Sunday may have been a factor but Iro knows his men can put up much more of a fight, ending their campaign on a sour note.

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