The Pacific has risen, but rugby league's new breeding grounds must still go to another level in order to take a World Cup away from the sport's traditional powers.
That is the reality facing both Tonga and Samoa, after Australia's 44-12 defeat of the latter booked their spot in another final against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday night.
Last week's group-stage clash between Tonga and Samoa was undoubtedly the match of the tournament, with more Pacific fixtures the future of the international game.
This World Cup has shown both have taken a clear step forward, having surpassed England as the third and fourth best teams in the world.
There is no ceiling on how good they could still be come the next World Cup in four years time, with the core of both sides likely to remain.
But closing the gap to Australia and New Zealand remains a hurdle, with the Kangaroos eying a fourth-straight title and the Kiwis vastly improved in reaching their first decider since 2013.
Samoa shocked England in the semi-finals of the World Cup four years ago and pushed New Zealand in last year's Pacific Cup, but still haven't beaten Australia.
They are a side built on passion and emotion, but channelling it on the biggest stage remains vital.
Samoa led the Kangaroos 2-0 via a penalty goal on Sunday night, but were barely in the contest after that.
They burnt their challenge after seven minutes appealing a strip, before Tom Dearden ran through Jazz Tevaga and Francis Manuleleua from a scrum.
That same pair were beaten again for the Kangaroos' next through Jacob Preston, and by the time the half was out it was 26-2 in favour of Australia.
In truth, the Kangaroos were near perfect through the first 50 minutes of the game.
Samoa were far from it.
A month after his heroics swung the grand final in the Sydney Roosters' favour, Spencer Leniu put the ball down on his first hit up off the bench.
The Samoa firebrand then ended the first half in the sin-bin for dissent and made another error shortly after his return to the field.
Jarome Luai briefly looked at risk of joining Leniu in the bin when he stood over Harry Grant and appeared to take a swipe at him early in the second half.
Samoa briefly threatened a comeback when Stephen Crichton capitalised on a Reece Walsh error to make it 26-8 with 35 minutes to play.
But Ata Mariota forced an offload on the next set, Beniah Ioelu put it down and Reece Walsh scored a few plays later, extinguishing any hope of a fairytale.
It comes after Tonga admitted their 34-10 semi-final defeat to New Zealand on Saturday night was a "missed opportunity", as fifth-tackle plays cost them in the extreme Newcastle weather.
