Rugby League World Cup Preview: Sāmoa

At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. In the fourth segment of the series, we look at sleeping giants Sāmoa and whether their rejuvenated squad can craft a fairy-tale run towards the Paul Barrière Trophy.

IRL Ranking: 7th

Group: A

Schedule: England (St James’ Park, Newcastle); Greece (Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster); France (Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)

World Cup Appearances: 5 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017)

Best Result: Quarterfinals (2000, 2008, 2013)

Head Coach: Matt Parish

Title Odds: $34.00

Toa Sāmoa will hope to replicate the rugby league surge that rivals Tonga enjoyed during their 2017 World Cup campaign and perhaps go a little further with a host of stars defecting from higher-ranked nations to represent their heritage.

They will face off against a strong English side in the World Cup opener in Newcastle in one of the clashes of the tournament before facing World Cup rookies Greece and a pesky French side to round out the group stage.

Matt Parish’s men will be eager to start their campaign on the right foot with a win over hosts England and finish atop Group A in hopes of avoiding Tonga until the semi-finals.

Sāmoa will enter the tournament with one of the world’s most intriguing squads which is seemingly improving by the day as they look to come away with a finals win for their first time in their history.

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Their coaching staff will have a number of big selection calls to make with a number of seasoned NRL stars likely to be omitted from their first-choice 17.

Their last international outing was a 42-12 win over a gutsy Cook Islands outfit in June which was just their second win in their past 10 Tests, however, a number of their big names were on Origin duty.

Their fullback spot will be hotly contested; Charlie Staines wore the one in their win over the Cook Islands, however, Stephen Crichton will join the squad whilst Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Joseph Sua’ali’i will be considered should they commit to Sāmoa.

Brian To’o is arguably the Sāmoa’s biggest name and will line up on the right wing whilst the battle for the left wing will likely come down to Penrith rookie Taylan May and veteran David Nofoaluma, however, the likes of Tabuai-Fidow, Sua’ali’i, and Murray Taulagi will rocket into consideration should they opt to wear the blue-and-white.

The Penrith flavour is expected to continue into the centre-pairing with Izack Tago favoured to retain his spot at left centre. Jaxson Paulo lined up on the right in their last outing, however, expect him to be usurped by one of the names previously mentioned. Either way, their back five will be absolutely stacked and heavily dominated by NRL premiership favourites Penrith.

Their halves-pairing will be boosted by the inclusion of Panthers star Jarome Luai who is expected to line up alongside former Origin star Anthony Milford with Chanel Harris-Tavita potentially included in the squad.

Jazz Tevaga is the favourite to land the hooking spot with Fa’amanu Brown and Danny Levi contenders for the 14 jersey.

The defections of Josh Papali’i and Junior Paulo from Australia will be a massive shot in the arm for Sāmoa’s forward with the veteran props still among the NRL’s elite middles. They will likely head a middle rotation consisting of some combination of Josh Aloiai, Francis Molo, Marty Taupau, Bunty Afoa, Spencer Leniu, Keenan Palasia and Toafofoa Sipley.

Their edge forward stocks are similarly strong with Jaydn Su’A and Luciano Leilua expected to be on deck whilst Sāmoa’s coaching staff will be hoping Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai puts his hand up. Kelma Tuilagi, Josh McGuire, Sione Mata’utia and Connelly Lemuelu are among the other second-rowers who may also travel with the squad as injury cover, particularly with Josh Schuster expected to forego the campaign.

Regardless of which undecided players commit to Sāmoa, they will travel to the UK with the strongest squad they have ever had and are genuine World Cup threats. If they can come away with a big win over England in the tournament opener, they will put themselves in good stead as they charge towards the finals and potentially set up a date with destiny against rivals Tonga in the semi-finals.

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