Samoa’s golden-point hero Stephen Crichton revealed he had by no means kicked a subject objective at any degree previous to the World Cup semi remaining and was “zero from four” throughout his profession.
Crichton iced the competition with an 83rd minute subject objective in additional time on Sunday morning (AEDT), sending Matt Parish’s aspect by way of to the World Cup remaining at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old Penrith star had his subject objective “license” revoked by Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, however after slotting the matchwinner Crichton is assured he have it reinstated.
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“I was zero from four, the Penrith boys will never let me do it again, but hopefully the boys are watching and I get my license back,” Crichton mentioned.
“I have never hit one before, but Clez (Cleary) will be watching, and he will be happy that I finally hit one.”
England scored within the 77th minute to ship the competition to golden-point, solely 5 minutes after Crichton crossed for his second strive, breaking away for a 40-metre intercept.
After Crichton’s subject objective sailed by way of the posts, the Samoan crew erupted into celebrations, embracing after dumping the hosts out of the match.
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While the stress was on, Crichton backed himself to step up within the large second, although he wasn’t positive it was going by way of the posts off the boot.
“I practised it every training session, you never know when these moments come about and if it did come around, like it did, I knew I’d done the work to slot it,” Crichton mentioned.
“I was just there on the right as an option for Milford, if they did pressure him I was there, that was the set-up we planned.
“I thought I hit it short, but just watching the ref and seeing what he was going to do, once he blew the whistle, all the emotions hit me then.
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“Got emotional with the boys on the field, because it takes a lot to put our little country on the map.”
Samoa had been embarrassed by England within the World Cup opener on October 16 and Crichton mentioned he knew that Shaun Wane’s aspect wouldn’t quit within the dying phases of the conflict.
But Parish’s crew have now “turned it around” and Crichton is proud to signify the nation he was born in.
“Talking to a few of the boys throughout the season, and the boys that really wanted to play made that decision and this is what we striven for,” Crichton mentioned.
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“To put our little country on the map and I think we have done that as well, credit to the boys that had the opportunity to play elsewhere and chose the motherland too.”
Samoa line-up in opposition to competitors heavyweights Australia within the grand remaining and Crichton will face Panthers teammates Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary.
James Fisher-Harris and Martin went toe-to-toe within the Kangaroos’ semi remaining win over the Kiwis, and Crichton believes the backrower will as soon as once more be up for the problem.
“100 per cent (Panthers players will clash), probably Marto and Romey going at it, so it should be good and excited for the challenge as well,” Crichton mentioned.