Eleven months after they squared off in the World Cup Final at Old Trafford, the Kangaroos and Samoa meet again in the highly anticipated Pacific Championships opener in Townsville.
That 2021 World Cup transferred to 2022 due to the COVID pandemic proved a watershed moment for Samoa, with big guns Junior Paulo, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai leading them on an emotional charge past England and into a decider against the might of the Kangaroos, where they eventually succumbed 30-10.
Four players who featured in the NRL grand final are set to line up for Samoa, with premiership-winning Panthers Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Izack Tago joined by Broncos forward Keenan Palasia.
New coach Ben Gardiner will field a powerful pack led by Paulo, Leniu, Heilum Luki, Stefano Utoikamanu and Royce Hunt – all keen to match motors with Mal Meninga’s posse of forwards which includes Broncos stars Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, keen to put the disappointment of grand final defeat behind them.
In four previous meetings between the two nations, Australia have racked up a combined score of 186-28, but the 20-point margin in last year’s World Cup decider was a clear indication that the men in blue are on the right track and now have the belief they can match it with the game’s super powers.
A fast, physical contest is guaranteed on a balmy Townsville night as the ball is given plenty of air and both defences are stretched to the limit.
Team News
Kangaroos: Dylan Edwards, Kotoni Staggs, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo will make their Kangaroos debuts as part of a new-look backline that also also includes Daly Cherry-Evans taking over from Nathan Cleary (knee) at halfback. Ben Hunt and Harry Grant will again share the hooking role with nine members of the side that won the World Cup Final last November set to take the field in Townsville. Late call-up Nicho Hynes is 18th Man.
Toa Samoa: The absence of Jarome Luai (shoulder) sees his Panthers teammate Stephen Crichton move to five-eighth to partner newcomer Daejarn Asi in the halves. Brian To’o, Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu are the other Panthers named in the 17. Cowboys edge forward Heilum Luki is in line to play his first international along with Storm fullback sensation Sualauvi Faalogo. North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi makes his Samoa debut after he was part of the Kangaroos squad at the World Cup. Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu and Manly hooker gets Gordon Chan Kum Tong also make their Test debuts in the front row alongside inspirational leader Junior Paulo.
Leave a Reply