Samoa’s squad announcement is perhaps the most anticipated of the whole Rugby League World Cup.
If the 2017 World Cup was defined by the emergence of Tonga onto the world stage as a genuine fourth contender for the title, then there’s a strong argument to be made that this year will be the coming out party for their eternal rivals.
A lot of that has to do with the Samoan surge that has turned the Penrith Panthers into the best team in the NRL: the backline that Ivan Cleary picks on a weekly basis is highly likely to be available to Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish.
The latest to declare is Joseph Suaalii, one of the best youngsters in the NRL and a breakout star of 2022. With him on board, and likely to play fullback, it opens the door for Samoa to move beyond dark horses and into true contenders. Watch out England, the ambush is on.
Instead, they’ve got their sights firmly set on Newcastle and the hosts. Win the tournament opener over England and it will be the biggest of big statements. Lose, and it’s a win for the neutrals: sure, we like the underdogs story – though are Samoa even underdogs? – but we’d prefer a likely clash with Tonga in the quarters. That would stop the rugby league world.
The official squad was announced on September 27, and so we have replaced our predicted team with a confirmed 24-man list.
This is a huge list for Samoa. Pretty much their entire 17 from the Pacific Test win over the Cook Islands are in, and it’s a lot of big names.
Let’s get the Panther contingent out of the way: Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Taylan May, Izack Tago, Jarome Luai are going to be numbers 2-6 on the teamsheet to face England, injuries permitting.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
In the forwards, you can add Marty Taupau and Josh Aloiai from Manly, Jaydn Su’A from the Dragons and Spencer Leniu from the Panthers.
Josh Papali’i and Junior Paulo pack a powerful punch up front and for the halfback role, Anthony Milford or Tyrone May, who has been very impressive in Super League at Catalans, will steer the side around.
Danny Levi has impressed in Super League for Huddersfield and is a specialist dummy-half who can interchange with Fa’amanu Brown.
Josh Schuster has ruled himself out, though given his form for Manly, it’s debatable that he’d get picked anyway.
Stephen Crichton. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Confirmed Samoa squad
1 Joseph Suaalii
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Izack Tago
5 Taylan May
6 Jarome Luai
7 Anthony Milford
8 Josh Aloiai
9 Danny Levi
10 Josh Papali’i
11 Kelma Tuilagi
12 Jaydn Su’A
13 Tyrone May
14 Fa’amanu Brown
15 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
16 Junior Paulo
17 Marty Taupau
18 Chanel Harris-Tevita
19 Spencer Leniu
20 Oregon Kaufusi
21 Luciano Leilua
22 Mat Feagai
23 Braden Hamlin-Uele
24 Royce Hunt
matth
Roar Guru
Wow, that's a strong official squad.
Cyril Snodgrass III
Guest
The weakness in the Samoan team…Milford at half…the bloke is living off how he played in the past,not how he is playing in the present A young keen half should be given a go
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Jeez I knew Arsenal, Leeds and Man United were sh@t teams, but anyone calling them and they're stadiums 4th division is clearly a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
I'm no northern Englishman, far from it. But I'll be there. Only have to travel up the road a few hours. Would be stupid not to travel!
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
milf the weak link in a strong team
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I don't care about the other sports, irrelevant. But ! to tidy it up, Kewell only ever represented Australia in international competitions
hutch
Roar Guru
That “kid” qualifies for Tonga in every sport on earth.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
It's a crazy draw, most tier one team's get to play three teams that you hardly knew played the game. Then there's the opening match of the tournament, and for the loser, it's almost curtains. England v Samoa match 1. The first game will be almost a knock-out game, and then weeks of mostly rubbish til the finals start. Will Samoa be up to England ? Won't be easy. It's not like they are playing in Samoa and have the home ground advantage. If they can get over the line here though, it almost puts England out, and would then be probably down to themselves, NZ, and Australia.
Crow
Roar Pro
Suaalii has some big raps. Some say a generational player. In my book he only has a few runs on the board. Watch this space.
Crow
Roar Pro
You made me laugh.
Misikopa
Guest
Ur missing Luciano Leilua and Spencer Leniu. They will definitely make the Toa Samoa RLWC squad
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I think the correct term is Up There, Cazaly
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
YOU LEAVE PONGA OUT OF THIS! HE IS THE BEST PLAYER EVER TO STRAP ON A BOOT AND WILL LEAD THE KNIGHTS TO A MULTITUDE OF PREMIERSHIPS.
sheek
Roar Guru
Choppy Cleal, I remain skeptical about Suualii. The great players of the future are the ones that are managing to remain under the radar at present. Very few teenagers with a massive rap can handle the attention. Ponga was going to be the next big thing out of juniors. Still waiting..........
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
The situation with Suualii is an interesting one. He wants to play fullback, will most likely play fullback in this team, and if he kills it and goes back to the chooks as a centre or winger? Then he has players options in 2023 and 2024. His manager is already PRing him as a once in a lifetime player and will be chasing the coin. So if the Roosters keep him, do they send Teddy back to the tigers? Could mean Teddy, Moses, Sharon Woods and Andrew Fifita all reunited back at the Tigers with Brooksy. Of course it won't happen, but it's a nice story
Tim J
Roar Rookie
G’day Choppy, it certainly does not make sense what the Knights are doing! Their are priorities are focusing on the wrong positions.
sheek
Roar Guru
Choppy Clal, You examples of Roberts & Elias are poor, Mason & Tamo less so, as is your time period. Petero I believed only played for Fiji after a long & distinguished career as an Aussie. The difference today is that players are using heritage as a financial weapon. It's quite cynical what they're doing. We all want money, but there is a right & wrong way to go about it.
sheek
Roar Guru
Up there - really?
Danno
Roar Rookie
Because that kid being born in Australia is eligible to play for Australia , but doesn’t get picked because he’s behind 5 or 6 other players that are better than him in that positions ,then that kid is also eligible for Tonga because his parents were born in Tonga and is then picked by Tonga , that kid has a chance to play in a World Cup , it’s a no brainer , if I’m that kid I’d want to play for Tonga as well
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
"Only" represented NSW. Pfftt. Representing NSW is the greatest glory anyone can ever have in their life. Oh and look. France is closed for renovations. You'll need to leave.