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FINAL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Championships | ||
| Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | ||
| Australia | vs | Samoa |
| 38 | Score | 12 |
| 7 | Tries | 2 |
| 5 | Conversions | 2 |
| 0 | Penalty goals | 0 |
| 0 | Field goals | 0 |
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The Pacific Championships start tonight when the Kangaroos take on Samoa at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:10pm (AEDT).
It’s less than a year ago that these two teams squared off in the Rugby League World Cup final. Whilst this Kangaroos team closely resembles the outfit that won 30-10, Samoa have only the three representatives backing up; Stephen Crichton, playing in the halves, Junior Paulo and Brian To’o, with Jarome Luai, Joseph Suaalii, Taylan May, Jaydn Su’A and Josh Papali’i all injured.
Still, any team featuring Crichton, Stefano Utoikamanu and Keenan Palasia deserves to be respected. Spencer Leniu will surely be running from the back fence when he comes off the bench.
We also get another look at Sualauvi Faalogo, who starred for the Storm at fullback on debut and has a long career in front of him.
The Kangaroos have also been impacted by injury, with grand final hero Nathan Cleary clearly the biggest omission. Still the Australian side on paper remains very strong. Dylan Edwards, Kotoni Staggs, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo will make their Kangaroos debuts, with Edwards surprisingly getting a spot on the wing. Daly Cherry-Evans slots in at halfback for the injured Cleary.
The Kangaroos’ pack looks good, led by Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. If they can get dominance in the ruck, it could be a long night for the Samoan team.
Prediction
There is no doubt that Samoa will start this game on fire. However, Australia’s pack should be able to match the Samoan pack physically and then start to gain the ascendancy as fatigue becomes a factor.
Once this happens, you would expect Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant to punch holes in the defensive line. The classy Australian backs may be in for a big night.
Kangaroos by 24
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 8:10pm (AEDT)
TV: Nine, Fox League
Streaming: Kayo Sports, 9Now
Odds: Kangaroos $1.02, Samoa $13 – odds via PlayUp
Kangaroos
1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Dylan Edwards 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Payne Haas 9. Ben Hunt 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Cameron Murray 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Harry Grant 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Nicho Hynes 19. Jake Trbojevic 20. Thomas Flegler 21. Valentine Holmes
Toa Samoa
1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Izack Tago 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Brian To’o 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 10. Junior Paulo (c) 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Keenan Palasia
Interchange/Reserves: 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Terrell May 16. Heilum Luki 17. Ronald Volkman 18. Royce Hunt 19. Justin Matamua 20. Greg Marzhew 21. Tommy Talau
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