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I have been a Tim Sheens fan throughout his coaching career but the veteran coach has me scratching my head as you read this.
Choosing Josh Papalii as a starting prop for Australia in this weekend’s important Four Nations clash with Samoa beggars belief – his contribution against England last Sunday was negligible.
He made little impact from the bench in attack or defence. Should anyone be surprised? Papalii’s form for most of the season has been fair, at the very best.
Sure, he played State of Origin football for Queensland this year but his efforts in that arena were regulation, nothing to really write home about.
I say Sheens has taken a mighty gamble on Papalii who is primarily a second-rower or lock. The coach obviously feels he can draw something special from the nuggetty forward and it will certainly be needed to tame a big and hungry Samoan pack that has more than held its own in Four Nations duels with New Zealand and England.
In my opinion, Australia looks extremely vulnerable up front and could get steamrolled by a team relishing its chance in the international spotlight. It looms as a very dangerous game for Australia with a real prospect of the Kangaroos missing a rugby league final for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1954.
Samoa have provided great value throughout the tournament and it can only be hoped they get the opportunity to play Test level rugby league on a more regular basis.
They hit fiercely in defence and are ever-ready to give the ball plenty of air to create scoring chances. Coach Matt Parish has done a fine job with Toa Samoa, demonstrating why he is widely regarded as one of the best young coaches in the game.
Incredibly, the winless Samoans can qualify for Sunday week’s Four Nations final in Wellington if results fall their way.
Firstly, Samoa needs New Zealand to beat England in Dunedin on Saturday night. Samoa then needs to make up a 10-point differential with England with a win over Australia in Wollongong to advance to the decider.
If the Kiwis topple England by 10, a win by Samoa by any margin would see them qualify. If England wins or draws, the entertaining Samoans will be (sadly) eliminated.
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