International rugby league is back on Australian soil and it kicks off in a doubleheader in the suburb of Campbelltown as Samoa face off against the Cook Islands. Join The Roar for live scores from 5.40pm AEST.
Samoa have named an incredibly strong lineup, filled with plenty of NRL experience despite the absence of Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton who are on Origin duty for New South Wales.
The backline has plenty of Penrith flavour as Charlie Staines is named at fullback , while the left edge consists of Taylan May and Izack Tago. On the right edge, Jaxson Paulo and David Nofoaluma round out the backline for Samoa. With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow a possibility of playing for Samoa later in the year during the Rugby League World Cup, the Samoa backline will need to pull their socks up and perform well against Cook Islands to give Matt Parish a selection headache when the Hammer and Stephen Crichton join the Samoan camp.
If you thought the Samoa backline was strong, their forward pack consisting of Manly trio Martin Taupau, Josh Schuster and Josh Aloai in the starting 13 ensures Samoa has the cattle in the middle of the field to bully the Cook Islands forwards. Samoa haven’t played an international match since November 2019, however this new side should still be able to click into gear and dominate proceedings from the get go.
For the less experienced Cook Islands, they will look up to co-captains Esan Marsters in the halves and second rower Pride Petterson-Robati to lead from the front and inspire the Cook Islands team to cause an upset. Youngster Xavier Willison is named at prop while Rabbitohs forward Davvy Moale and Eels prop Makahesi Makatoa are named on the bench.
Prediction
On paper, Samoa start off as huge favourites. However, rugby league isn’t played on paper is it? Despite this, Samoa have firepower from 1-17 with plenty of first grade experience and should the contest get close in the final twenty minutes, Samoa will have their seasoned pros pull them through the finish line.
Samoa by 12+
Kick-off: 5:40pm AEST
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Samoa $1.01, Cook Islands $15.00 – odds via PlayUp
Samoa
1. Charlie Staines,2. Taylan May, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Jaxson Paulo, 5. David Nofoaluma, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Anthony Milford, 8. Martin Taupau,9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Francis Molo, 11. Josh Schuster, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Josh Aloiai, 14. Fa’amanau Brown, 15. Keenan Palasia, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Bunty Afoa,
Cook Islands
1. Kayal Iro, 2. Steven Marsters, 3. Anthony Gelling, 4. Reuben Rennie, 5. Malachi Morgan, 6. Esan Marsters, 7. Reece Joyce, 8. Vincent Rennie, 9. Aaron Teroi, 10. Xavier Willison, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Pride Pettersen-Robati, 13. Tinirau Arona, 14. Brodie Tamarua, 15. Moses Noovao-McGreal, 16. Makahesi Makatoa, 17. Davvy Moale,
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
FT Samoa 42 Cook Islands 12 Samoa attempt for one last hurrah but fall short. Full time in Campbelltown stadium as Samoa win by 30 points. Professional performance by Samoa but Cook Islands had moments of resillience and brilliance. Off to a quick break and I'll be back with Fiji vs PNG
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
80' CONVERSION Milford converts in front of the posts with ease Samoa 42 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
78' TRY SAMOA A tired pass from dummy half in the Cook Islands team as Paulo intercepts and scores Samoa 40 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
77' Milford kicks towards Nofoaluma as he nearly scores his 5th try but the winger knocks on Samoa 36 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
73' Cook Islands knock on with a short attempted kick off and it's a Samoa feed in the scrum
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
73' CONVERSION Milford scores and it's a 24 point lead for Samoa Samoa 36 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
72' TRY SAMOA How. Just how? Schuster wasn't being tackled, took advantage of the space he finds and kicks as Nofoaluma scores his 4th try Samoa 34 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
69' Knock on by Samoa and it's a Cook Islands feed in the scrum Samoa 30 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
68' Penalty to Samoa. Cook Islands challenging the decision and it is unsuccessful Samoa 30 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
66' CONVERSION Marsters converts after scoring and it's an 18 point deficit now Samoa 30 Cook Islands 12
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
65' TRY COOK ISLANDS Esan Marsters finds a tiny bit of space, offloads to Steven Marsters as the winger scores Samoa 30 Cook Islands 10
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
64' Great defence by Cook Islands as they force an error Samoa 30 Cook Islands 6
M20
Guest
Geez these commentators suck. Don't care how good they were at footy. They sound horrible
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
62' Milford misses the conversion attempt Samoa 30 Cook Islands 6
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
61' TRY SAMOA Schuster runs through, finds some space and kicks towards the tryline and Taylan May scores. Samoa 30 Cook Islands 6
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
60' CONVERSION Milford converts in front of the posts and its a 20 point lead again for Samoa Samoa 26 Cook Islands 6
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
58' TRY SAMOA Well that came against the run of play. Cook Islands won a six again and were bulding momentum. But an intercept from Nofoaluma sees the winger score his 3rd try Samoa 24 Cook Islands 6
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
57' Harris Tevita attempts a 40/20 but Iro stops it with a good catch
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
56' CONVERSION S Marsters converts in front of the posts Samoa 20 Cook Islands 6
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
55' TRY COOK ISLANDS The Cook Islands kept on persisting as Moale scores. A try well deserved Samoa 20 Cook Islands 4