MANCHESTER – The Kangaroos are planning to target Samoa fullback Joseph Suaalii in this weekend’s World Cup final – with star playmakers Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt revealing Australia have worked on a plan to handle the breakout star.
Suaalii, who has impressed at fullback in this tournament, is widely seen as Toa Samoa’s most dangerous weapon for set starts and ends, slotting alongside talismanic five eighth Jarome Luai in the hierarchy for Matt Parish’s men.
“We try our best to nullify him,” said Munster. “But some of the stuff that he’s coming up with at the Roosters and the way that he runs the ball back into the line, especially at such a young age and with such a big body, he plays like he’s played 250 games of first grade.
“It’s going to be a big one and he’s one we’ll try and target, but there’s so many players that we need to be aware of where they are.
“He’s a bit more powerful and an athete. Myself and Hunty played a bit of fullback and halves, but our smarts are probably a little bit different. With him, he’s a freakish athlete. He’s got so much ability and could do anything.
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“I’m still amazed at some of the things that he’s doing at his age. I’m scratching my head that he’s still 19 years of age. He’s got a big future, hopefully not on Saturday!”
Hunt agreed that Suaalii and Luai were the men to stop, with the Kangaroos hooker adding that his position in the middle of the field would make him extra accountable for the man coming from the back.
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“Defensively, he and Jarome are the keys,” said Hunt. “Where they’re going, the balls going. At the back end of their sets he seems to pop up in the middle to give them a quick play the ball to finish. As middle forwards, we have to keep our eyes up and keep scanning where he is.”
Luai’s unorthodox methods have come under the microscope as well, with his wind-up of Sam Tomkins going viral after their semi-final win. Munster said that it was his call to go for those moves, and that he’d earned the right to play the pest.
“He comes over and gives a bit of cheek,” said the Storm star. “But the question is if you can talk the talk, can you walk the walk, and he’s done it in the last few years with two Premierships with the Panthers and now getting Samoa to a World Cup Final.
“He shows that he’s doing the walking as well. He’s playing good footy and he’s confident. I say a little bit back. Maybe when we score or we’re in front by a couple of tries, I might give the old saying ‘that was all you’.
“That’s as much as I go in case I say the wrong thing to someone and I end up on my back.”
Ken
Guest
Olsen Filipaina claimed Wally called him a black so an so during a test match when he was outplaying him , Australians not sledging and saying scummy things what a joke yet Wally's a great guy an Luai is so grub .
JennyFromPenny
Guest
The stink with MG was the most theatrically scripted piece of gamesmanship in the history of the game.
sheek
Roar Guru
JennyFrom Penny, Wally was different. He didn't sledge to pretend. He really didn't like a lot of people. He meant what he said to them. Wally wasn't a fake pretender. E-n-t-i-r-el-y d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t daarlink...
Phil
Roar Rookie
Could well be a case of OCD.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Up until Luai joined Panthers, Munster's record against them was 4w/4. Up until Luai joined Panthers, Tedesco has beaten Penrith 4/4, and Mitchell 2/3. Up until Luai joined Penrith, Cleary's record was only 58%. Carry on, Flat Earth away.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t that many seasons ago Munster slippered a ground prone Liam Martin. A year earlier did the same to a Parra player in the semi. Binned twice in the same game, even the best can be talked out of it.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Australia were mistake riddled and disjointed. But they still beat a NZ team who were playing well. Samoa scraped past a diabolically inept England in extra time. With tries scored from an intercept on their own line, a Hail Mary hoik off the ground followed by a miracle bat on, and a classy step from Luai around a poor defensive rush from English centre Watkins (aided by an unnoticed obstruction on the inside that Mitchell Moses would have eked a penalty out of every day of the week). Meanwhile England got over the line twice with structured play... and dropped the ball, knocked it on with the line wide open, and threw away first chance to slot a field goal in OT. So on balance you have to think Australia will get it done - even if they are still disjointed, which is far from certain.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Nevertheless Luai will be mum after the game tomorrow.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Australia will win comfortably. 20+. But they need to pass the ball to the outside backs. Latrell and the Fox need to get good early ball.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Another Flat Earth disbeliever of Luai stats.
Tony
Roar Guru
Reminds me of Rex Mossop and his "six nullifieds" call
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Munster’s secret plan “We will do our best to nullify him”. How original!
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Panthers fans.... Strange cats
John
I stayed back at my school’s disco tonight when suddenly a Samoan family arrived waving the Samoan national flag. Their Year 6 daughter grabbed the flag and proceeded to wave it round as she danced around the dancefloor. When the girl gave it back to mum I couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement. I said’ I want a part of this!’ She photographed me pumping the air shouting, ‘ Go Samoa!’ All of this in Melbourne by the way. Wish them well.
ALL ABOUT BALLS
Roar Rookie
Good to see mental disintegration alive and well.
ALL ABOUT BALLS
Roar Rookie
,Must be busy Fathers day then.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Albo might have the weekend off to get over there from Bali .
Tony
Roar Guru
Perfect
criag
Roar Rookie
It's one thing to target in defence, but they need to get their attack working. Samoa showed they can conjure tries in the red zone against quality defence last week. Australia were mistake-riddled and disjointed.
criag
Roar Rookie
The could just get Mel to drive circles around the Samoan team in his Mad Max Ford Falcon XB GT Interceptor as they do their Siva Tau and kick mud up in their faces.