Eleven months after they squared off in the World Cup Final at Old Trafford, the Kangaroos and Samoa meet again in the highly anticipated Pacific Championships opener in Townsville.
That 2021 World Cup transferred to 2022 due to the COVID pandemic proved a watershed moment for Samoa, with big guns Junior Paulo, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai leading them on an emotional charge past England and into a decider against the might of the Kangaroos, where they eventually succumbed 30-10.
Four players who featured in the NRL grand final are set to line up for Samoa, with premiership-winning Panthers Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Izack Tago joined by Broncos forward Keenan Palasia.
New coach Ben Gardiner will field a powerful pack led by Paulo, Leniu, Heilum Luki, Stefano Utoikamanu and Royce Hunt - all keen to match motors with Mal Meninga's posse of forwards which includes Broncos stars Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, keen to put the disappointment of grand final defeat behind them.
In four previous meetings between the two nations, Australia have racked up a combined score of 186-28, but the 20-point margin in last year's World Cup decider was a clear indication that the men in blue are on the right track and now have the belief they can match it with the game's super powers.
A fast, physical contest is guaranteed on a balmy Townsville night as the ball is given plenty of air and both defences are stretched to the limit.
Match: Kangaroos v Toa Samoa
Week 1 -
home Team
Kangaroos
1st Position
away Team
Toa Samoa
2nd Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Kangaroos: The Kangaroos are 1-17 with no late changes. Dylan Edwards, Kotoni Staggs, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo will make their Kangaroos debuts as part of a new-look backline that also also includes Daly Cherry-Evans taking over from Nathan Cleary (knee) at halfback. Ben Hunt and Harry Grant will again share the hooking role with nine members of the side that won the World Cup Final last November set to take the field in Townsville. Late call-up Nicho Hynes is 18th Man.
Toa Samoa: No late changes with Samoa lining up 1-17. The absence of Jarome Luai (shoulder) sees his Panthers teammate Stephen Crichton move to five-eighth to partner newcomer Daejarn Asi in the halves. Brian To'o, Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu are the other Panthers named in the 17. Cowboys edge forward Heilum Luki will play his first international along with Storm fullback sensation Sualauvi Faalogo. Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu and Manly hooker gets Gordon Chan Kum Tong also make their Test debuts in the front row alongside inspirational leader Junior Paulo. The 18th man is Royce Hunt.
Match: Kangaroos v Toa Samoa
Week 1 -
home Team
Kangaroos
away Team
Toa Samoa
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Kangaroos is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Toa Samoa is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Kangaroos is number 2 Dylan EdwardsWinger for Toa Samoa is number 2 Murray Taulagi
-
Centre for Kangaroos is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowCentre for Toa Samoa is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Kangaroos is number 4 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Toa Samoa is number 4 Young Tonumaipea
-
Winger for Kangaroos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Toa Samoa is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Kangaroos is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Toa Samoa is number 6 Stephen Crichton
-
Halfback for Kangaroos is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Toa Samoa is number 7 Daejarn Asi
Forwards
-
Prop for Kangaroos is number 8 Payne HaasProp for Toa Samoa is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Kangaroos is number 9 Ben HuntHooker for Toa Samoa is number 19 Justin Matamua
-
Prop for Kangaroos is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Toa Samoa is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 11 Cameron Murray2nd Row for Toa Samoa is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Toa Samoa is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Lock for Kangaroos is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Toa Samoa is number 13 Keenan Palasia
Interchange
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 14 Harry GrantInterchange for Toa Samoa is number 9 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Toa Samoa is number 14 Spencer Leniu
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Interchange for Kangaroos is number 16 Patrick CarriganInterchange for Toa Samoa is number 15 Terrell May
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 17 Reuben CotterInterchange for Toa Samoa is number 16 Heilum Luki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Kangaroos is number 18 Nicholas HynesReplacement for Toa Samoa is number 18 Royce Hunt
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Samoa's Stephen Crichton was the leading pointscorer at the World Cup with 73 points from four tries, 28 goals and one field goal.
- The Kangaroos have played in 10 World Cup Finals, Samoa just the one.
- Darren Lockyer holds the record for the most Tests for Australia with 59 also most tries with 35.
- Valentine Holmes holds the record for most tries in a Test match for Australia (6 vs Fiji in 2017 at Suncorp Stadium).
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
