No matter your thoughts on the Rugby League World Cup so far and whether or not the blowouts are bad for the game, we’re into the good stuff now. You can make an argument for any of the remaining teams to win the Final next week. Australia and New Zealand speak for themselves, but Samoa and Tonga are closing the gap.

For Samoa to advance they first need to get past the favourites. They’ll take a lot out of the positives and negatives of last week and shape as dangerous underdogs. Despite the idea that we need to see points pile up to be entertained, I’m expecting two close and exciting games this weekend.

The Kangaroos are favourites and will be in every game they play until they lose one. At home and with a stacked side, they’re expected to reach next week’s final at the very least.

Samoa has all of the tools on paper to beat them, though. Their back five will get Toa out of yardage and the pack will hold up the middle on both sides of the ball. There isn’t a shortage of points on the edges and, at their best, the spine can feed them.

Still, you need to be close to perfect to beat Australia.

Samoa fell just short of beating an impressive Tonga side last week. They withstood early pressure and played themselves into a position to win. While there are a lot of positives we can circle as to why they can push Australia just as far, if not beat them, it’s in what they got wrong and how they learn from it that will determine the outcome.