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 |
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
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair enough. When I watched it live I thought the ball had just dropped out the back. I missed him dropping it onto Carrigan’s(?) head
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
No. I said that South Sydney juniors and players developed by the Rabbitohs are routinely poached by the Roosters. Also, Souths regularly have a core group of South Sydney juniors or players from the Rabbitohs lower grades in their starting 17.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Sorry TB. While it's a bummer to spoil the party, dropping the ball onto the tackler during a tackle has been a knock on forever. If Samoa won by one try and that was let go, folks would be blowing up deluxe because the officials missed it.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
I thought Souths were the only pure-hearted team that didn't rely on poaching star players from other clubs?
Thing Me
Roar Rookie
Hard luck Samoa. Lost a lot of money backing you for an upset as I thought you were dead certainties but the potential is there.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Combined!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Shame Samoa started so slowly…they went toe to toe for the rest of the match
Redcap
Roar Guru
Have fun!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I am venturing down to ' Batman ' country for the Kiwi game. The clash of the packs should be felt in Townsville.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog tonight. The Roar will be covering all Kangaroos games in the Pacific Championships
David Holden
Roar Guru
Samoa were just a bit outclassed but Faalogo at fullback was a revelation. The Storm have a potential superstar on their hands...just a question of where they put him in the 17.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Australia came away with an easy win tonight but they would not have been happy with their high error count in the second half. It was their first hit out and they will need to improve to beat NZ in a fortnight's time
JimCam73
Roar Rookie
Good game. Samoa have some decent young talent. Thanks for the commentary David.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Entertaining game - closer than the scores indicate. Australia got off to a flier & that disallowed try made a huge difference. Great call, David - thanks a lot. Footnote: would have been nice if Munster could have produced, at least, one game, like tonight, for the Storm.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME AUSTRALIA DEFEAT SAMOA 36-12
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' CONVERSION AUSTRALIA Staggs makes the conversion. Australia 38 Samoa 12
Redcap
Roar Guru
A shirt-load of mistakes in the second period, but that was alright. Bring on the Kiwis. Thanks for the call David.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' TRY AUSTRALIA DCE kicks for Staggs from the scrum and he scores. TRY Australia 36 Samoa 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' To'o from the scrum but he loses it in the play the ball. Samoa challenge but it's unsuccessful Australia 32 Samoa 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Short drop out with Edwards. Haas in the middle. Munster finds Tino but he puts it down with the line open Australia 32 Samoa 12