England
26
Match Complete
Samoa
27
| 80 |  | S. Crichton | ||
| T. Makinson |  | 78 | ||
| H. Farnworth |  | 77 | ||
| 74 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 72 | | S. Crichton | ||
| T. Makinson |  | 67 | ||
| T. Makinson | | 64 | ||
| H. Farnworth | | 63 | ||
| 56 | | T. Lafai | ||
| 49 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 48 | | S. Crichton | ||
| T. Makinson | | 44 | ||
| J. Bateman | | 44 | ||
| 32 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 30 | | L. Sao | ||
| T. Makinson | | 25 | ||
| E. Whitehead | | 24 | ||
| 5 | | T. Lafai |
| 4 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
A final spot in the Rugby League World Cup is up for grabs when England take on Samoa in a rematch of their one-sided group stages game. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:30am (AEDT).
Well, another big semi-final awaits. These teams met 4 weeks ago and the 60-6 English win was nothing short of embarrassing for Samoa. They will no doubt be looking for revenge whilst England will be looking to finish the job on Samoa’s World Cup campaign.
At least from Australian shores, England have proved a bit of a surprise packet in this World Cup. Leading into the semi-final, their form is arguably the best of any team.
Papua New Guinea was expected to provide something of a challenge in the quarter-final. However, England were far too good, running away to a 46-6 win. Winger Tommy Makinson had a day out, with a personal tally of 30 points.
The front row of Thomas Burgess and Chris Hill have been immense for England, whilst the back row/lock combination of Elliot Whitehead, John Bateman and Victor Radley is possibly the best in the competition.
Samoa looked a shambles against England first up, but have improved immeasurably since then. They are clearly battle-hardened, with their 20-18 quarter-final win over Tonga one of the matches of the tournament. Sometimes, these close wins can be just what is required to take a team to another level.
They will be relying on their big forward pack to get over the advantage line. If they can, the Penrith connection may come into play, with Jarome Luai in the halves and 3 more Panthers in the backline. Joseph Suaalii is also starting to play up to his superstar potential.
In a big in for Samoa, Junior Paulo has escaped a suspension and will partner Royce Hunt in the front row.
Prediction
I think we can all agree that this will be closer than their first-round matchup.
The battle up front will decide this. There is not a lot in it but I think their backrow just gives England the edge.
From there, George Williams should be able to put his stamp on the game.
England by 8
Game information
Kick-off: 1.30am (AEDT)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Foxtel, Kayo
Odds: England: $1.35; Samoa: $3.25
Teams
England
1. Sam Tomkins 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Herbie Farnworth 14. Dominic Young 6. Jack Welsby 7. George Williams 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Michael McIlorum 18. Chris Hill 11. Elliott Whitehead 12. John Bateman 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 10. Luke Thompson 15. Morgan Knowles 17. Mike Cooper 20. Mike McMeeken
Reserves: 21. Marc Sneyd 24. Kai Pearce-Paul
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
Panthers
Guest
Panthers backs shine through again. :thumbup:
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Let it be said, who'd ya daddy, 'Ol England ?
The Riddler
Guest
With the rise of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG to an extent. It is time for the NRL to throw money into the Pacific Cup and make it a preeminent international tournament. Leagues version of the Union - 6 Nations? Stage the games staggered throughout the year. Take games to the islands themselves to generate excitement and then play the final (top 2) after the NRL Finals.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Any author worth their salt would nick that one and run ?
As much as I don't like Penryth, their players carried Samoa today! Too many GF stars in Samoa!
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Awesome. Great result all round.
So true - he was useless! Lol
Sam.T
Roar Rookie
Loving it....just watch the England women's rugby team lose wc final 6 hours ago...now watching England lose again in the same fashion :laughing: :laughing:
Renegade
Roar Guru
Wow - what a game. Crichton basically getting Samoa home with individual brilliance in the end - the intercept and then the field goal. I cannot believe England are not in the final after the tournament they’ve had, they definitely saved their worst performance for when it mattered… really only hitting their straps in that last 20. Historic moment for Samoa and the sport - I don’t know what it means for the final as a spectacle… likely to not get the same turnout and I’m not sure our boys will take 60 mins to get going but if it produces what the two semi finals have, it will be epic! Anyways off to bed for now, thanks for the blog David and fellow roarers :thumbup:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Arnab you can remove here and replace it with always
matth
Roar Guru
Well how about that, eh? I only saw the second half but England looked to be panicking while Milford and co had Samoa maximizing field position and calming things down. What a game. Chrichton man of the hour but it could so easily have been Herbie. Well played Samoa, they will have to somehow come down from this and find yet another level. A 50 point thrashing to a World Cup final.
Shuan Wayne interview : very classy! Well done. “Best team won.no excuse. Samoa was the best team.” No bull. Just honest. So refreshing to hear!! Next time mate, unlucky!
To have one player in the bin, and then 2 starting going off injured, and then beat England! Wow. Just wow!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Incredible really. Given their poor start to the tournament. Such belief in the group
This small nation has provided so many stars to so many clubs/nations in union and league - well done!! Over achievers!!!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks very much for following the blog nice and early this morning. Enjoy the rest of your weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
Samoa have created history by being the first side outside of Australia, New Zealand or England to make the RLWC final. It sets up a great finale against Australia
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Thanks for a great call David. Loved following the live blog while watching it. Enjoy your sleep everyone.
To be pumped in the first game and then to beat the host nation!! WOW!!
Just too much NRL Grand Final experience in the Samoa team!! To'o alone has probably more premiership rings than all of the England team combined. Maybe Ramsey has the same?)