LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a highly anticipated opener for the Pacific Championships, the Kangaroos and Samoa will face off once again, eleven months after their World Cup Final clash at Old Trafford.
The 2021 World Cup, which was postponed to 2022 due to the COVID pandemic, was a turning point for Samoa, with star players Junior Paulo, Stephen Crichton, and Jarome Luai leading them to a thrilling victory over England and a spot in the final against the Kangaroos, where they ultimately fell 30-10.
Samoa will have four players from the NRL grand final in their lineup, including premiership winners Crichton, Leniu, and Tago from the Panthers, as well as Broncos forward Palasia.
Under the guidance of new coach Ben Gardiner, Samoa will field a formidable pack led by Paulo, Leniu, Luki, Utoikamanu, and Hunt, all eager to match up against Mal Meninga's impressive group of forwards, which includes Broncos stars Haas and Carrigan, determined to move past their grand final loss.
While Australia has dominated in their four previous meetings with Samoa, boasting a combined score of 186-28, the 20-point margin in last year's World Cup final indicated that Samoa is making significant progress and now believes they can compete with the sport's powerhouses.
Fans can expect a fast and physical contest on a warm Townsville night, with plenty of ball movement and both defenses pushed to their limits.