SAMOA return to The Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington on Sunday for part two of a newly established rugby league relationship.

Watched by fans from clubs across the north west, Matt Parish’s men left an indelible mark on the crowd with their gutsy fightback against holders New Zealand in the opening Group B game inside Warrington Wolves’ den on October 27.

Much was to be admired about their battling qualities, not to forget those bulldozing runs from new Saints recruit and man-mountain Mose Masoe along with the smiles of Newcastle Knights right centre Joseph Leilua in appreciation of the crowd’s bellowing chants of support.

The Pacific islanders have been battling the odds since before the tournament started under the leadership of Saints back rower Sia Soliola.

Losing the availability of star names Roy Asotasi, Kylie Leuluai, Jeff Lima, Steve Matai and Matt Utai was made worse when skipper Harrison Hansen limped out of the warm-up loss to England Knights.

Then came the tournament-ending injuries to Frank Winterstein and Reni Maitua but they have toughed it out with impressive wins against Papua New Guinea and most recently France to put themselves one win away from a Wembley semi-final.

They will have to do it tough again on Sunday, due to a one-match suspension being handed to one of their top tacklers – NRL back rower Leeson Ah Mau.

It could have been worse, but fellow NRL forward Sauaso Sue escaped a ban after his disciplinary ruling was overturned on appeal on Wednesday.

They have paid the price for a little bit too much aggression against the French half backs on Monday night.

Can the fans help them lift one more time?