MANCHESTER – Samoans around the world have gone so mad for the Rugby League World Cup finalists that entire countries have sold out of Samoan flags.
With just 200,000 people on the islands but millions around the world, street parties have sprung up in Auckland, Western Sydney and even Utah, where there is a large Pacific Island community, with reports that New Zealand has no more flags to sell.
The pressure on the team is huge, but star centre Stephen Crichton said that all the support was exciting, rather than overwhelming.
“It’s gone global,” he laughed. “It means a lot to do that not just for myself but for the boys in the squad, and for our motherland as well and the people of Samoa.
“We’ve seen all the videos that have come out from it and just how proud they are. It’s been pretty hectic. I think flags have been selling out everywhere! It’s been pretty crazy that it’s gone worldwide. I’m proud of the boys.”
Teammate Jaydn Su’A agreed: “It would be huge. I can’t even say how big it would be. We are very proud people. Just to see the support we have had via social media, it’s very overwhelming and emotional.”
He wasn’t lying: Crichton and Su’A were spotted lounging on sofas in Manchester Central, where the pre-Final press conferences were being held, while they waited for captain Junior Paulo to finish his media duties. They were all watching videos of Samoan celebrations on their phones.
Crichton said that making the Final meant that Samoa had already won, but that they weren’t satisfied to merely be at the top table.
“Being the underdogs is probably a good thing,” he said. “We’ll be doing everything in our preparation to put our best foot forward.
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“The whole idea when all the boys first made the pledge to come to Samoa was that we didn’t want to be in it just to compete, we wanted to be in it to make it to the top. We’ve done that throughout the tournament and it would be massive for Samoa and all of us.
“Australia are the top team that everyone wants to play. They are a side full of superstars, it will definitely test us but I have full confidence we can get the job done.”
England have picked up the Wheelchair World Cup after a thrilling 28-24 win over France in front of a new world record crowd of 4,500 at Manchester Central, but it was the post-match conference that is making all the headlines.
The French head coach, Sylvain Crismanovich, vented his frustrations about the able-bodied players in his sport during a post-match press conference following his side’s loss.
After the current title holders were beaten, Crismanovich stated that the game has turned into a spectacle, claiming it’s no longer “a wheelchair game for wheelchair people.” He also spoke about the eligibility of able-bodied players in the sport, believing “a decision has been taken to prioritise the show rather than the athletes involved.”
Each team is allowed to have two able-bodied players on the pitch at any one time.
During his rant, Crismanovich also said that England’s Jack Brown – one of the winning nation’s two able-bodied players – should not be allowed to score a try the way he did because a disabled player would never have been able to do the same.
The wheelchair version of the game has taken the UK by storm during this tournament, with games broadcast live on the BBC, and got a suitably spectacular finish. It was a game that had a bit of everything, with the lead changing hands multiple times, some superb tries, clattering wheel-on-wheel hits and a dash of refereeing controversy thrown in.
The game was broken open by England captain Tom Halliwell with two minutes to play, grabbing a winning try for the hosts, but had been defined prior to that by strong defence from both sides.
They had traded multiple penalty goals, while the French sideline official Laurent Abrial had an open disagreement with his English counterpart Ollie Cruikshank late in the second half.
Played before a boistrous crowd, France started stronger but were gradually hauled in by England, who unleashed Queensland coach Jack Brown late in the first half to great effect. Between him and Leeds duo Halliwell and Nathan Collins, England were able to draw level and put themselves in a position to win it late.
France called out the officiating and questioned the use of able-bodied players in the England side.
“Do you want the heartfelt response or the professional response?” said coach Sylvain Crismanovich. “It was an exceptional England team – congratulations to England. But there was a lot of confusion around the refereeing.
“The referee made the referee’s decisions, and we’ve got to go with those. But there’s an impact on the bodies of the players. Unfortunately, today, England went for the spectacle and the show rather than prioritising the disabled players.”
England were less fussed, understandably. “I was crying like a baby,” said coach Tom Coyd at the finish.
“I don’t know what to say. We knew we were going to win that game by two or four points. We said that the whole time.
“I’m just so proud of the guys and this crowd, and everyone for getting behind wheelchair rugby league and England rugby league. We just deserve it.”
The buzzword for Australia at this Rugby League World Cup could have been anything, but the phrase which coach Mal Meninga continues to mention is “passion”.
It is an emotive word, particularly for Meninga, who represented his country with distinction on four separate Kangaroos tours.
Nobody quite understands the green and gold jersey like Meninga but over the last couple of years some of that reverence, it can be argued, has been lost.
After all, Australia’s last game prior to this World Cup was a 2019 defeat to Tonga. It was the first time since 1978 that the Kangaroos had lost to someone other than England/Great Britain or New Zealand.
It’s a blemish which stung Meninga and led to questions about Australia’s place at the top of league’s food chain.
Their tumble to fourth in the world rankings has fuelled that fire, as has the fact so many players have pledged their allegiance to Samoa or Tonga.
In England, the Kangaroos are greeted with disdain by fans and administrators over their decision to withdraw from the tournament in 2021.
On this tour – 12 months later than originally scheduled – Meninga has set about restoring the prestige of the Kangaroos jersey.
Australia have yet to lose at this tournament and they will hope to seal a 12th World Cup title against Samoa at Old Trafford on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Samoa might be the underdog story filled with colour and vibrancy, but Meninga says his side more than match their passion and pride.
“Our guys put their hands up to play for Australia,” Meninga said. “We are no less passionate than any other nation when we pull on that green and gold jersey. We still play with the passion and the commitment that is conducive to being an Australian.”
With 13 debutants on this tour, Meninga has had to lean on lessons from his own experience to mould them into a team which will start at Old Trafford as strong favourites.
Meninga worked closely with the late Bob “Bozo” Fulton on his many international appearances and those lessons have helped this iteration of the Australian side come together quickly and successfully.
“Part of Bozo’s aura was that he had a good sense of fun,” Meninga said. “I kind of hope I bring a bit of that to the group. It is not all business. I think I got that from him. I think Bozo knew how to bring representative teams together.”
With AAP
What to look out for in this weekend's round of international footy.
Brad Fittler claims widening State of Origin eligibility rules to include Australian-raised New Zealand and England players will benefit both the domestic and international game.
If you followed the recent Rugby League World Cup, you’ll probably have noted that the tournament has both passionate supporters and vocal detractors.
Since the Super League War, Rugby League has failed to cement an international calendar. The historical tours disappeared – in part due to the war but also since the English game transferred to a summer season.
With many spruiking that the pinnacle of our beloved sport is State of Origin, surely it’s time to make yet another amendment to the playbook and finally let New Zealand and English players in on the fun?
