Finally, we have a new challenger at the Rugby League World Cup: Samoa. The size and power of the Samoan team is capable of beating any side on its day and the code screaming for a serious challenge from them over the course of the next five weeks.
With PlayUp offering odds of $11 for a Samoan win, it seems canny to invest a little; considering both the squad that will represent the tiny South Pacific nation and the fact that rugby league would benefit greatly from one of the long awaited new challengers finally maturing into a real threat.
Across 15 editions of the World Cup, both the early tournaments that featured just a handful of teams and the current ones that involve improving Pacific nations and new players like Lebanon, Jamaica and Greece, just three teams have triumphed.
Australia has 11 World Cup trophies at its rugby league headquarters, New Zealand just the one earned in 2008 and Great Britain reigned supreme on three occasions; 1954, 1960 and 1972.
Not that the events have ever been boring, yet the number of nations in serious contention has traditionally being three, with that number a stretch when the English have looked well off the pace of the Aussies and Kiwis.
This year will see 16 teams involved and whilst Scotland, Lebanon, Jamaica, Italy and Greece are certain to be in for a hiding or two, the diversity added to the tournament is a clear positive.
Martin Taupau. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
However, at the pointy end, it will be pretty much status quo, aside from a power-packed Samoan side that looks to have a physical advantage over every other team.
Two key factors for Toa Samoa will be whether coach Matt Parish is able to quickly gel the immense talent at this disposal and match the professional efficiency of the top teams. Another will be finding the halfback option that controls and oversees the game plan and allows the monstrous size and power of the squad to take full advantage.
The number seven looks to be an area of real concern for Parish, with Anthony Milford probably the man to be given the task of taking pressure of Jarome Luai in the halves and allowing him to play similarly to the way he does with Penrith. Chanel Harris-Tavita is Parish’s other option at halfback and the decision could be a crucial one.
Seven men that played in the recent NRL grand final between the Panthers and Eels have been selected in the squad and the strong Penrith feel sees Luai, Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Taylan May, Izak Tago and Brian To’o all headed to England.
Parramatta’s Junior Paulo and Oregon Kaufusi join the five other Samoan grand finalists still in top physical condition, something that could be a distinct advantage considering the number of opposition players that have now sat out for over a month in waiting.
The attractive $11 looks even juicier when you reflect on a potential back line featuring May, To’o, Luai, Crichton, Tago, Joseph Suaalii and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and either Harris-Tavita or Milford at the base of the scrum.
Frankly, if that back line fires, I’m not sure who stops it.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
After Samoa defeat England and belt the Greeks and French to advise to the quarter-finals, the other sides awaiting them will also be reminded of the frightful pack of Samoan forwards.
Paulo, Kaufusi, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Luciano Leilua, Martin Taupau, Josh Papalii and Kelma Tuilagi are challenging enough to tackle individually, let alone when they come in waves one after another. In top flight, even the Australian’s will struggle to combat the onslaught.
Parish will have to overcome a perceived lack of depth at hooker, with much pressure placed on Huddersfield’s Danny Levi and few other options should one be required.
Ball control will be everything. If Toa Samoa turn up and complete at 80 per cent or higher, the World Cup could well be theirs. In three past quarter final appearances it has been poor handling and a lack of polish and control that have hampered Samoa’s chances and Milford and co. in the halves could well be the determining factors.
I am taking the $11, using the capital built after predicting a Parramatta fade out in the grand final. I am taking it for two reasons.
Firstly, Toa Samoa scare the heck out of every team they will face, whether they like to admit it or not and secondly, the best thing that could happen to rugby league right now would be a new World Cup champion.
The game needs it.
Davico
Roar Pro
This aged well!!
Davico
Roar Pro
So you think he should start ahead of Yeo? Crighton? Carrigan? Murray?
Davico
Roar Pro
Actually, no, he can't. That was my point! Because he chose England it now rules him out because they are classed as Tier 1, same as NZ. Luai and To'o get to pick and choose, Radley does not.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Yes, be involved as the play requires, not as James sees fit.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
He's the incumbent lock.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Barring any upsets, more than likely yes. Super League Grand Finalist Leeds, losing 74-0, offers up plenty of confusion about the current standard of the English game. Admittedly several players from the final missing, but Blake Austin, ex-Panther/Tiger/Raider played #6 v NZ and also in the GF. He couldn't get an NRL contract past 2018. There's a lot pointing towards Samoa being competitive against England.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Josh Maquire: 2010-2015: Samoa 2016: Australia May 2017: Samoa Nov 2017/ +2018: Australia Radley can ask to play for Australia next time, just like Luai and To'o
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
Is Leilua playing in the world cup, or is he suspended?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Agree Stuart – if you pursue a had a hard line that you can only represent the country you were born in then we won’t have the much anticipated games between Samoa and Tonga against the NZ, Australia and England teams in this World Cup. Instead all we will get two strong sides in Australia and NZ followed by England and much weaker Pacific island teams. Who wants that? Mind you I see the point of not wanting to see players chopping and changing who they represent. Once they have chosen who they want to play for early in their career they should be forced to stick with it. This might weaken the Samoan team for the current World Cup given players such as Papalii and Paulo have already represented Australia – but they would have had a choice.
James Campbell
Guest
Bitter rugby union fan who knows the best Islander talent is in rugby league rants.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Anthony Milford is barely of league standard now and he didn't win a premiership with the Broncos - he played in a Grand Final in 2015 - and was arguably the best player on the ground. He has stuck with Samoa throughout his career. Not sure who is going to do the directing out of Luaia and Milford. Samoa have Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo up front but struggle for depth in the forwards. Mind you I'm not that impressed with the Aussie forwards either - they look light on for mine. The Kiwis have the best forward pack - by far!
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
as an Aussie obviously want the Kangaroos to win, esp as the Wallabies can't win Jack! But hope the games aren't blow outs, maybe the odd surprise loss in the pool games so it isn't the Big 3 plus 1 other in the semi finals
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Still waiting.
Republican
Guest
Sheek. Similar to the Kiwi content as well, especially in those early years when League went trans Tasman. I reckon our heritage within these fatal shores should concoct a League entity for the WC. from just about anywhere you care to mention but lets face it, the Polynesians are the perfect fit for both rugby codes. This is the age of expedience where blood has been diluted to resemble H2O. A globalist can serve any number of countries, subject to opportunity. Tribalism is a farce and loyalty is as fickle as the almighty dollar that consumes and seduces our sporting elite today.
Republican
Guest
NZ are ranked 1 in world. They'll win the WC I reckon. Our domestic league, the NRL seems increasingly made up of players with Kiwi and PI heritage. England will give it a shake as well. Aussies will disappoint as Kiwis now dominate both Rugby codes.
JQ
Roar Rookie
Maybe give the semi final teams tier 1 status through to the next world cup. With the eventual aim of all quarter finalists becoming tier 1 many years down the track.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Actually, half of their team in Japanese born - a lot more are living there and have been for many years. It's not like rugby league criteria where you need to have tried sushi to qualify.
Davico
Roar Pro
If you look at the squad, who is Jake putting out of the side, taking into account he could not make the run on side for NSW? I am confused by the comment about Tedesco having too much say, a bit like Gallen. Aside from the fact they both captained NSW the similarities in their games ends there. Would you prefer the best attacking FB in the game to be less involved in the attack??? He has consistently been one of Australia's best in every test he has played. I get you may have something against the bloke, but from a purely football point of view, that is a terrible take.
Davico
Roar Pro
I agree, but that really does not address the point that some people who grew up in Australia are able to play both SOO and play for another country and others are not. Lets be honest, there is no way Luai makes the Australian team in the halves either.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
I think Trbojevic makes the 17. Tedesco just asks for too much say in possession. A bit like Gallen. Both armband wearers who think they beat the opposition on their own.