Matt Parish’s Samoa outfit had been one sport away from lifting the World Cup trophy final 12 months, taking place to the Kangaroos final season 30-10.
Jarome Luai, alongside a band of Panthers stars led the best way and guided Toa Samoa to their first ever main event last.
They bounced again from a heavy 60-6 Round 1 defeat by the hands of England to conquer the hosts 27-26 because of a Stephen Crichton area aim within the semi last.
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Now Samoa will probably be out for revenge and face their Australian foes in week as soon as of the Pacific Championships, whereas they’re but to determine on who will lead them ahead.
With a number of accidents to take care of, together with the potential for Luai to be omitted from the workforce, the incoming coach has a mammoth job on their arms to pick out a profitable aspect in 2023.
Read beneath for foxsports.com.au’s predicted Samoa workforce!
FULLBACK
Incumbent: Joseph Suaalii
Contenders: Stephen Crichton, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Analysis: Joseph Suaalii snubbed the Kangaroos to symbolize Samoa in final 12 months’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 as a result of emergence of Dolphins gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The former Cowboy was pressured to journey residence from the World Cup after an damage 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 aspect and is a powerful likelihood of being named at fullback. Stephen Crichton can be a contender and can doubtless be second in line however will function elsewhere on this workforce.
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 stepping into to the World Cup last in opposition to Australia final 12 months. However, May’s season ended earlier than it begun on account of an ACL blow. He is predicted to return to the sphere subsequent season leaving one vacant spot subsequent to To’o who will probably be one of many first names on the teamsheet after one more sturdy season for the Panthers and NSW. Since shifting again to the wing, Joseph Suaalii has been spectacular because the Roosters surge in direction of finals soccer after a turbulent begin to the season. Coach Matt Parish put his religion within the teenager final season and the incoming coach 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 sturdy contender and there have been even requires the Titans gun to earn a Maroons jersey this season, scoring 11 tries this season to go together 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 workforce and his defensive acumen has gone to a brand new stage 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 12 months. Partnering him in final 12 months’s grand last 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 thus far this season. While he was spectacular in final 12 months’s World Cup, Parish can’t ignore the type of Izack Tago who has been wonderful for the Panthers this season when on the sphere. He battled with a leg damage for an prolonged interval and has since returned forward of finals. Tago additionally needed to go away final 12 months’s event early on account of a niggling shoulder damage. 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 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 wonderful 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 stage 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 will probably be match after struggling a shoulder dislocation. He might doubtlessly return in the course of 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 means on this workforce for some younger expertise. Daejarn Asi has been stable whereas filling in for both Mitchell Moses or Dylan Brown this season on the Eels, and his versatility might see him trip the pine or begin within the halves on the finish of this 12 months. Asi and Luai are two attacking gamers and in partnership might wreak havoc. However, each gamers do depend on good 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: Oregon Kaufusi, 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 workforce. Despite being dropped from the NSW aspect 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 stable for Cronulla and is a powerful likelihood of profitable the beginning prop spot alongside Paulo, that includes at lock in final 12 months’s World Cup last. However, he’s set to be pipped on the put up by teammate Braden Hamlin-Uele, who has been wonderful for the Sharks on the back-end of the season. Kaufusi will function elsewhere on this workforce alongside Royce Hunt and Spencer Leniu on the bench whereas Luciano Leilua and Jazz Tevaga may also get a 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 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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 last final 12 months however has taken a 12 months off soccer earlier than he returns on a two-year take care of the Warriors. Danny Levi was Samoa’s first selection hooker however needed to depart the event early on account of household points, nevertheless 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. He was named on the Raiders’ prolonged bench in Round 27 and as such has been named on this workforce, whereas Erin Clark’s season can be over on account of a shoulder damage. Jazz Tevaga is the remaining hooker choice, though he has performed as a utility ahead for the Warriors this season. Tevaga was sidelined on account of a hamstring damage however has been named forward of New Zealand’s finals marketing campaign. When match he’s a dangerous center ahead and has additionally earned a spot on this workforce.
Verdict: Danny Levi
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 in the course of the World Cup last, however each gamers could possibly be lacking from the workforce this 12 months. Su’A’s season is over on account of a shoulder damage whereas Sao has performed 18 video games for Hull FC this 12 months. He will probably be ommited from the workforce as a result of 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 nicely and actually an NRL starter and is a deserving choice within the backrow for his maiden Samoa cap. Leilua has additionally been stable 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 as a result of alleged home violence prices. 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 workforce. Manly gun Josh Aloiai would have been the person picked however his season can be over on account of a shoulder damage. 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, nevertheless in his 14 video games he has solely featured within the No.13 jersey seven instances in 2023. The 30-year-old might carry 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 12 months’s World Cup early on account of a shoulder damage, however when match he is without doubt one of the NRL’s most harmful impression forwards and was a whisker away from incomes a NSW debut this season. Royce Hunt began within the entrance row in final 12 months’s World Cup last 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 provide Faitala-Mariner a breather. That leaves the utility position, with Anthony Milford taking part in off the bench six instances in 2023 underneath Wayne Bennett. His vote of confidence might see the veteran play off the bench, nevertheless Jazz Tevaga’s impression at hooker and within the center is tough to go by and he’ll put on the No.14.
Verdict: Jazz Tevaga, Oregon Kaufusi, 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. Braden Hamlin-Uele
9. Danny Levi
10. Junior Paulo
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Oregon Kaufusi
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Royce Hunt
Injured gamers in competition: Josh Aloiai, Erin Clark, Jaydn Su’A, Chanel Harris-Tavita (12 months off), Taylan May, Josh Papalii (retired)
Source: www.foxsports.com.au