MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Tonga and Samoa spectacle is exactly what the Rugby League World Cup is about

If I wasn’t such a proud and passionate Australian, I’d be cheering for a Tonga v Samoa World Cup final.

And I think most Aussie league fans would be with me after what we witnessed at CommBank Stadium on Sunday night.

That game between the two fierce Pasifika nations – played in front of a sea of red and blue in the stands - was right up there with anything I’ve seen.

It had it all – brilliant football, physical intensity, see-sawing scorelines and off-the-charts atmosphere.

Fans were describing it as State of Origin like and it’s hard to disagree.

Tonga halfback Isaiya Katoa said it was 10 times quicker and more intense than an NRL match, so that’s all you need to know.

It actually saved this World Cup from being largely forgettable.

I loved every second of it and want to see these two play every year at a sold-out Accor Stadium.

It was the best game of the year, so wouldn’t want more of that?

You can just imagine these two ripping into each other again in the World Cup final on Sunday week.

But I hate to break the bad news to you – it ain’t happening.

Old Spudd doesn’t believe in fairytales and I think we’re going to be left with an Australia v New Zealand decider once the dust settles on the semi-finals.

I just feel Samoa and Tonga used up so much emotion and energy – both physically and mentally – that their tanks will be a little empty.

In stark contrast, the Kangaroos and Kiwis have been in cruise control since they played each other in the Cup opener.

They’ve just been waiting for the knockout phase to kick in before going up a couple of levels.

New Zealand has the best forward pack I’ve seen in 10 years, with four players boasting 10 premierships between them.

They could also have Kalyn Ponga back from a broken arm.

Tonga will present a massive change but I think the Kiwis have enough class and big game experience to get the job done.

Australia worries me.

They haven’t impressed me much at all but perhaps they are saving their best for last.

I’m going to back them to get over Samoa but I’m not so sure about the final.

I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not convinced the Kangaroos can get up for two tough games in the space of a week.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

You know what happens when you poke the bear?

Sometimes the bear turns around and tells you to f..k right off.

Sam Walker received a valuable life lesson after taking on Roosters boss Nick Politis over a contract extension.

Uncle Nick comes from a time when a man’s word and handshake was his bond.

Once you strike a deal, there are no U-turns, off-ramps or detours.

Walker – or someone from his camp – thought it was a good idea to ask the Roosters for a little bit more time and money after being offered the biggest deal in the club’s history.

Bad move.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

I have zero sympathy.

BEFORE I GO

I know what it’s like to be left out of footy sides or overlooked for rep selection.

It still stings to this day.

But I have never been given 20 minutes’ notice that my services were no longer required.

That’s how long my colleagues and I got by the powers-that-be at radio station 2SM before they pulled the plug on the popular Talkin Sport program.

After 24 years – a lifetime in radio terms – the show was made history.

Host Graeme Hughes and regular panellist Brett Papworth and myself all arrived at the Pyrmont studio last Thursday, ready for another three hours of fun, banter and dissection of all the big stories on Talkin’ Sport.

But just as we were about to go on air, word came through the station had ended the show, effective immediately.

I’ve been around the media long enough to know shows – and jobs – come and go, especially in this current environment.

But this was next level brutal.

There was no explanation given or any chance to farewell our loyal listeners, who are just as gutted as we are.

Within minutes, any trace of Talkin’ Sport was removed from the station’s social media channels and website.

We are all deadest shattered by the decision, particularly Heaps Hughes, Gav Robertson and Brett Papworth, who have all been at it pretty much since the start.

Along with Parramatta great Eric Grothe, I had a four-year association with the show and enjoyed every single minute of it.

I love talking sport, especially rugby league, and having that special relationship with the audience.

We had a great array of regular characters call in to give us their two cents’ worth on the topic of the day.

Some of it was informative, some of it pure gibber.

But it obviously struck a chord with the listeners otherwise Talkin’ Sport, which could be heard up and down the east coast, would not have survived almost a quarter of a century.

I’m not only going to miss the boys but also the listeners.

One in particular comes to mind.

Only a couple of weeks ago, we had a bloke ring into the show in a stressful state.

He explained he was battling mental health issues he thought may be linked to CTE.

I asked him how he was holding up and he admitted he’d almost given up the will to live.

I grabbed his details and contacted him after the mics were turned off.

And thank God I did.

You all know I’ve got my own issues with CTE, so I was able to go through it with him in some detail and assure him there was still a future to look forward to.

He text me a few days later, writing: “Thanks for the call. You saved my life.”

That’s the power of communication.

It worries me that there’s now one less support mechanism out there for vulnerable people.