Despite boasting a team overflowing with NRL Grand Finalists, Samoa maintain they are the underdogs for this weekend’s World Cup opener against England.
Matt Parish leads a Samoa side filled with its strongest ever playing roster, including eight players who featured in the NRL Grand Final a fortnight ago.
But in making his team favourites the bookmakers have it wrong, according to Parish, who has been talking down his side’s chances ahead of Saturday’s much-hyped meeting with the hosts at St James’ Park.
“Talk doesn’t equate to results,” the Australian told The Sportsman, stressing that his side will start the tournament “under-cooked” with his big-name players having been in the UK less than a week.
“I have eight NRL Grand Finalists which is one positive but I haven’t had them at training which obviously is not a positive. We need everyone on board for us to play well and get a good result.
“Whatever we do this weekend I have no doubt we will build upon it for the rest of the tournament. The boys have been unreal and the coaching staff first class. Having your first training session five or six days out from an opener is tough but we are looking forward to it.
“We will be a bit rusty but our goal is to peak throughout the tournament, not on Saturday.”
Shaun Wane’s England are well aware of their own need to find an explosive start in Newcastle on Saturday, both to lay the platform to win their group and plot a less problematic route through the knockout stages, while also grabbing the public’s interest in and engagement with the team and the tournament from day one.
But Samoa are adopting the opposite approach, keen to manage expectations in their unfamiliar role as genuine contenders alongside Tonga, New Zealand and Australia.
“We had a mid-season test in June but only have seven from that squad are in this team and our preparation hasn’t been ideal,” Parish adds.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this and it is exciting to be playing a wonderful team like England.
“It will be tough and very physical in the middle, they are a proud nation and playing at home with a coach who has won many championships and their captain (Sam Tomkins) is one of the world’s best players.
“But I have no doubt through the tournament we can build and do something special.”
Parish admits it is “humbling” that the likes of Canberra prop Josh Papali’i and Sydney Roosters rising star Joseph Sua’ali’i have chosen Samoa, and believes this 2022 squad of stars carry a responsibility that transcends rugby league.
“These guys that represent Samoa have a fantastic opportunity to inspire young Samoans around the world,” he says.
“To make rugby league the number one sport in Samoa is a goal that could happen if we play well in this tournament.”
Hear more from Elliott Whitehead and England legend Adrian Morley, including interviews with England captain Sam Tomkins and Samoa head coach Matt Parish on Episode 1 of The Last Tackle: Inside England.
6pm Wednesday on The Sportsman Rugby League YouTube.
