- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Australia
30
Match Complete
Samoa
10
| L. Mitchell |  | 80 | ||
| 70 | | S. Crichton | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 69 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 68 | ||
| 62 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 60 | | B. To'o | ||
| N. Cleary | | 54 | ||
| C. Murray | | 52 | ||
| L. Martin | | 29 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 18 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 17 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 13 |
| 6 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
World Cup glory goes on the line this morning when Australia take on Samoa at Old Trafford in Manchester. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00am (AEDT).
The World Cup definitely came alive last weekend with the two semi-finals going down to the wire. Both New Zealand and England would be feeling desperately unlucky to have missed out. However, when the big moments came, it was Australia and Samoa that stood up.
Before the World Cup started, many league fans circled the likely Australia-New Zealand semi-final as one game not to miss. It certainly lived up to expectations.
The Kiwis held a 14-10 lead at the break and looked the better of the teams. However, the Kangaroos are a great team and great teams tend to find a way. Cameron Murray spotted a fatigued Brandon Smith, saw a gap and fought his way over the line. From there, Australia was going to be hard to overhaul and they held on bravely for a two-point win.
The Kangaroos again looked a bit clunky in attack, but Mal Meninga will bank on the combinations clicking for the final. His squad came through unscathed so the same team will likely be named.
Daly Cherry-Evans looks set to miss out.
Samoa’s path to the World Cup final has been nothing short of remarkable. A first-up 60-6 loss to England had Samoa in trouble and an early exit seemed most likely. It takes belief to bounce back from a loss like that and possibly the tight win against Tonga in the quarter-final further galvanised this team.
The semi-final had it all: numerous lead changes, outstanding individual performances and a grandstand finish. Jarome Luai was brilliant behind a big Samoan forward pack, before Stephen Crichton was calm under pressure in slotting the winning field goal.
Fa’amanu Brown is set to miss the final with concussion. With Danny Levi leaving earlier for personal reasons, Samoa go into the final without a recognised hooker. Chanel Harris-Tavita looks likely to fill that spot. Prop Junior Paulo is set to play after escaping suspension for his lifting tackle on Tom Burgess.
Prediction
The Australians will definitely have their hands full trying to manage the big Samoan pack.
However, if the Kangaroos can go set for set and generate some speed in the ruck, Harry Grant and Murray can break this game open.
Australia does have a big advantage in the spine and they look likely to add to their World Cup tally.
Australia by 20.
Kick-off: 3:00am (AEDT)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
Odds: Australia: $1.10; Samoa: $7.25 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
1. James Tedesco (c) 4. Valentine Holmes 8. Latrell Mitchell 10. Jack Wighton 9. Josh Addo-Carr 7. Cameron Munster 14. Nathan Cleary 5. Jake Trbojevic 3. Ben Hunt 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Angus Crichton 21. Liam Martin 24. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 2. Daly Cherry-Evans 14. Cameron Murray 13. Patrick Carrigan 20. Harry Grant
Reserves: 6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Reuben Cotter
Samoa
1.Joseph Suaali’i 2. Taylan May 4. Stephen Crichton 25. Tim Lafai 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Anthony Milford 10. Junior Paulo 21. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Royce Hunt 11. Ligi Sao 12. Jaydn Su’a 23. Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange: 8. Josh Papali’i 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita 22. Kelma Tuilagi 27. Connelly Lemuelu
Reserves: 16. Spencer Leniu 26. Ken Sio
Hide Preview
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.