Matt Parish’s Samoa outfit had been one sport away from lifting the World Cup trophy final yr, taking place to the Kangaroos final season 30-10.
Jarome Luai, alongside a band of Panthers stars led the way in which and guided Toa Samoa to their first ever main match ultimate.
They bounced again from a heavy 60-6 Round 1 defeat by the hands of England to conquer the hosts 27-26 due to a Stephen Crichton subject purpose within the semi ultimate.
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Now Samoa might be out for revenge and face their Australian foes in week as soon as of the Pacific Championships.
With a number of accidents to cope with, together with the potential for Luai to be omitted from the staff, Parish has a mammoth job on his palms to pick out a successful facet in 2023.
Read under for foxsports.com.au’s predicted Samoa staff!
FULLBACK
Incumbent: Joseph Suaalii
Contenders: Stephen Crichton, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Analysis: Joseph Suaalii snubbed the Kangaroos to signify Samoa in final yr’s World Cup and carried out admirably at fullback. His performances earnt him a begin within the centres for the Roosters in 2023 earlier than he was shuffled again to the wing after a run of poor type. The teenage prodigy is about for the same destiny on this Samoa outfit because of the emergence of Dolphins gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The former Cowboy was compelled to journey dwelling from the World Cup after an harm of their opening sport in opposition to England. Since the NRL’s latest franchise’s first look, Tabuai-Fidow has been the star of the Dolphins facet and is a powerful likelihood of being named at fullback. Stephen Crichton can also be a contender and can doubtless be second in line however will characteristic elsewhere on this staff.
Verdict: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
WINGERS
Incumbent: Taylan May and Brian To’o
Contenders: Joseph Suaalii, Ken Sio, Mathew Feagai, Richard Kennar, Phillip Sami, David Nofoaluma
Analysis: Taylan May and Brian To’o cast a scary partnership getting in to the World Cup ultimate in opposition to Australia final yr. However, May’s season ended earlier than it begun as a result of an ACL blow. He is anticipated to return to the sector subsequent season leaving one vacant spot subsequent to To’o who might be one of many first names on the teamsheet after yet one more robust season for the Panthers and NSW. Since shifting again to the wing, Joseph Suaalii has been spectacular because the Roosters surge in the direction of finals soccer after a turbulent begin to the season. Coach Matt Parish put his religion within the teenager final season and is unlikely to show his again on him contemplating a lot of spectacular showings on the back-end of the 2023 NRL season. Phillip Sami is one other robust contender and there have been even requires the Titans gun to earn a Maroons jersey this season, scoring 11 tries this season to go along with 13 line breaks.
Verdict: Brian To’o and Joseph Suaalii
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CENTRES
Incumbent: Stephen Crichton and Tim Lafai
Contenders: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Izack Tago, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Mat Feagai, Enari Tuala
Analysis: Stephen Crichton is an computerized choice on this staff and his defensive acumen has gone to a brand new degree in 2023. The 22-year-old as soon as once more represented the Blues in Origin and has cemented himself as one of the crucial harmful outdoors backs within the NRL with a powerful marketing campaign this yr. Partnering him in final yr’s grand ultimate in opposition to the Kangaroos was Tim Lafai who’s plying his commerce for Salford within the Super League, scoring six tries in his 15 appearances up to now this season. While he was spectacular in final yr’s World Cup, Parish can’t ignore the type of Izack Tago who has been glorious for the Panthers this season. He is presently sidelined as a result of a leg harm however is a powerful likelihood of returning for finals and if match is likely one of the NRL’s most deadly attacking centres. He additionally needed to go away final yr’s match early as a result of a niggling shoulder harm. Samoan selectors might simply swap Crichton and Tabuai-Fidow at fullback and centre, with each taking part in Origin within the centres however for now it appears to be like like Crichton and Tago will forge a powerful partnership.
Verdict: Stephen Crichton and Izack Tago
FIVE-EIGHTH
Incumbent: Jarome Luai
Contenders: Jarome Luai
Analysis: Jarome Luai was glorious for Samoa and was their finest participant of their 2023 World Cup marketing campaign. An computerized choice who takes his sport to a brand new degree when representing his nation. In this halves partnership, he must take extra of the kicking load than he does in clubland, lining up alongside a pure five-eighth. It additionally stays to be seen whether or not he might be match after struggling a shoulder dislocation. He might doubtlessly return throughout the finals for Penrith or require surgical procedure, however when match he would be the first identify on the teamsheet.
Verdict: Jarome Luai
HALFBACK
Incumbent: Anthony Milford
Contenders: Daejarn Asi
Analysis: Anthony Milford was the person who wore the No.7 jersey final season, however he has solely featured 11 instances for the Dolphins this season and can make manner on this staff for some younger expertise. Daejarn Asi has been strong whereas filling in for both Mitchell Moses or Dylan Brown this season on the Eels, and his versatility might see him journey the pine or begin within the halves on the finish of this yr. Asi and Luai are two attacking gamers and in partnership might wreak havoc. However, each gamers do depend on sensible halfbacks apart them in Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses in clubland. Both gamers must step up in the event that they need to ship as a dynamic duo.
Verdict: Daejarn Asi
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PROPS
Incumbent: Junior Paulo and Royce Hunt
Contenders: Keenan Palasia, Herman Ese’ese, Josh Aloiai, Toafofoa Sipley, Martin Taupau, Pasami Saulo, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Spencer Leniu, Luciano Leilua, Royce Hunt, Jazz Tevaga
Analysis: Junior Paulo is one other participant who’s already pencilled in to this staff. Despite being dropped from the NSW facet for Origin Game III his expertise can’t be understated and he’s set so as to add to his 15 Samoan caps. Alongside him could possibly be former Eels teammate Oregon Kaufusi who left Parramatta for greener pastures forward of the 2023 season. He has been considered one of Cronulla’s most constant forwards and is a powerful likelihood of successful the beginning prop spot alongside Paulo, that includes at lock in final yr’s World Cup ultimate. Elsewhere, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Royce Hunt and Spencer Leniu will characteristic on this staff on the bench whereas Luciano Leilua and Jazz Tevaga may also get begin. Keenan Palasia, Herman Ese’ese, Toafofoa Sipley, Martin Taupau and Pasami Saulo are the remaining gamers within the dialog for choice. Josh Papalii additionally retired from consultant soccer forward of the 2023 Origin collection.
Verdict: Junior Paulo and Oregon Kaufusi
HOOKER
Incumbent: Chanel Harris-Tavita
Contenders: Danny Levi, Erin Clark, Jazz Tevaga
Analysis: Chanel Harris-Tavita was the person to put on the No.9 within the World Cup ultimate final yr however has taken a yr off soccer earlier than he returns on a two-year take care of the Warriors. Danny Levi was Samoa’s first alternative hooker however needed to depart the match early as a result of household points, nonetheless if match he’s a powerful likelihood of as soon as once more representing his nation in 2023. Upon return to the NRL with the Raiders, Levi’s season has been removed from clean crusing after he suffered a damaged jaw twice. It appears to be like unlikely he’ll have the ability to take the sector whereas Erin Clark’s season can also be over as a result of a shoulder harm. That leaves Jazz Tevaga because the remaining hooker possibility, though he has performed as a utility ahead for the Warriors this season. Tevaga is presently sidelined as a result of a hamstring harm however is slated to return forward of New Zealand’s finals marketing campaign. When match he’s a dangerous center ahead and will do a job behind the ruck within the absence of different hookers. He might additionally shift in to the center with Daejarn Asi approaching within the utility function if wanted.
Verdict: Erin Clark
BACKROW
Incumbent: Ligi Sao and Jaydn Su’A
Contenders: Keenan Palasia, Connelly Lemuelu, Luciano Leilua, Josh Schuster, Michael Chee-Kam
Analysis: Ligi Sao and Jaydn Su’A had been Samoa’s backrowers throughout the World Cup ultimate, however each gamers could possibly be lacking from the staff this yr. Su’A’s season is over as a result of a shoulder harm whereas Sao has performed 18 video games for Hull FC this yr. He might be ommited from the staff because of the type of two gamers — Connelly Lemuelu and Luciano Leilua. Lemuelu has been a vital determine within the Dolphins’ first NRL season and earned himself a prolonged contract to stay underneath Wayne Bennett. After a patchy begin to his profession with the Cowboys, the 25-year-old is effectively and actually an NRL starter and is a deserving choice within the backrow for his maiden Samoa cap. Leilua has additionally been strong for the Cowboys this season, returning to the NRL in Round 12 after he was stood down underneath the no fault stand down coverage. Leilua additionally missed the World Cup final season because of the alleged home violence fees. Despite solely that includes 11 instances in 2023, Leilua is a harmful attacking menace and is a powerful likelihood of partnering Lemuelu on the sting.
Verdict: Luciano Leilua and Connelly Lemuelu
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LOCK
Incumbent: Oregon Kaufusi
Contenders: Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Josh Aloiai
Analysis: Oregon Kaufusi performed lock in opposition to Australia final season however has been named in his pure prop place on this staff. Manly gun Josh Aloiai would have been the person picked however his season can also be over as a result of a shoulder harm. That leaves Raymond Faitala-Mariner as a number one contender, having withdrawn from World Cup choice final season to give attention to the 2023 season with the Bulldogs. His marketing campaign hasn’t been clean crusing and the Canterbury membership captain has reportedly been knowledgeable his is free to depart the Belmore membership. Lock is his pure place, nonetheless in his 14 video games he has solely featured within the No.13 jersey seven instances in 2023. The 30-year-old might deliver expertise and management to this Samoa outfit and add to his three caps for his nation.
Verdict: Raymond Faitala-Mariner
BENCH
Incumbent: Josh Papalii’i, Spencer Leniu, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Kelma Tuilagi
Contenders: Keenan Palasia, Michael Chee-Kam, Royce Hunt, Spencer Leniu, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Herman Ese’ese, Shawn Blore, Asu Kepaoa, Anthony Milford
Analysis: Spencer Leniu left final yr’s World Cup early as a result of a shoulder harm, however when match he is likely one of the NRL’s most harmful affect forwards and was a whisker away from incomes a NSW debut this season. Royce Hunt began within the entrance row in final yr’s World Cup ultimate and is deserving of his spot on the bench whereas membership teammate Braden Hamlin-Uele is an underrated cog within the Sharks machine. He additionally packs a punch and this trio of center forwards will doubtless wreak havoc coming off the bench, with Oregon Kaufusi additionally an opportunity of shifting to lock to present Faitala-Mariner a breather. That leaves the utility function, with Anthony Milford taking part in off the bench six instances in 2023 underneath Wayne Bennett. His vote of confidence will doubtless see the veteran raide the pine.
Verdict: Anthony Milford, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Spencer Leniu, Royce Hunt
Samoa beginning 17:
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Joseph Suaalii
3. Izack Tago
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Brian To’o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Daejarn Asi
8. Oregon Kaufusi
9. Jazz Tevaga
10. Junior Paulo
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
14. Anthony Milford
15. Braden Hamlin-Uele
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Royce Hunt
Injured gamers in competition: Josh Aloiai, Danny Levi, Erin Clark, Jaydn Su’A, Chanel Harris-Tavita (yr off), Taylan May, Josh Papalii (retired)
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
