Sāmoa demolish France in record-breaking 78-4 RL World Cup opener

Toa Sāmoa have made a roaring statement to start their Rugby League World Cup campaign, rewriting the record books with a ruthless 78-4 annihilation of France in Western Sydney on Friday night.

Running out in front of a sea of blue at CommBank Stadium, Sāmoa produced their biggest-ever victory and highest points haul in international rugby league history, running in 14 tries against an outclassed French side.

The night began with raw emotion as tears flowed during the national anthem from Spencer Leniu, Connelly Lemuelu, and Jarome Luai, before co-captain Junior Paulo led an explosive Siva Tau that set the tone for a rampant opening blitz.

Sāmoa crossed for three quick tries inside the opening 10 minutes to lead 18-0. Deine Mariner planted it down in the corner after a sweeping shift before hooker Benaiah Ioelu and back-rower Jermaine McEwen added two more.

But the dominant start came at a cost when Mariner limped off early with a suspected hamstring injury, visibly emotional as he left the field.

“You can see the emotion ... it looks as though he knows his hamstring may not be good,” Channel Seven commentator and former Kangaroo Corey Parker.

Deine Mariner scores against France in their RLWC opener in Sydney. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

Mariner's exit brought dynamic substitute Sualauvi Fa’alogo onto the field and he triggered a sensational individual display.

Fa’alogo scored a hat-trick and set up two more, combining brilliantly with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Sāmoa surged to a 34-4 lead at half-time.

France managed a solitary first-half try through Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet but Sāmoa picked up right where they left off after the restart.

Passionate Toa Sāmoa supporters bring the noise at CommBank Stadium to cheer on their team against France. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

Brian To’o flattened French fullback Arthur Mourgue with a thunderous tackle and allowed co-captain Stephen Crichton to scoop up the loose ball and race away for his first try of the night.

Fa’alogo continued to tear the French defence apart down the sideline, linking with centre Izack Tago as the points kept piling up.

Francis Molo barged over from close range with two minutes remaining to push Sāmoa past 70 points.

In a wild final play, Crichton hit the post with a penalty goal as time expired, only for the rebound to ricochet straight into the hands of Ioelu to cap off the 78-4 rout.

Man of the match, Francis Manuleleua, says the crowd was "unreal".

"Nothing like I've experienced before but I want more of this," he told Seven after the match.

Sualauvi Fa'alogo, right, celebrates Sāmoa's try with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

"We had a good practice week. We trained hard and were up for it tonight."

While head coach Ben Gardiner will want to address minor periods of middle-game discipline ahead of tougher group fixtures, Sāmoa's combination of bruising defence and backline magic leaves them sitting comfortably at the top of their pool.

Toa Sāmoa now turn their attention to a massive, highly anticipated rivalry clash against Tonga on Saturday, 1 November at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta. Kickoff is at 7.45pm NZ time.

For more action and updates on the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, visit www.rlwc2026.com

TEAMS

Toa Sāmoa: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Brian To'o, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton (co-c), 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Jarome Luai (co-c), 8. Francis Molo, 9. Benaiah Ioelu, 10. Junior Paulo (co-c), 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Jermaine McEwen, 13. Francis Manuleleua. Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Shawn Blore, 17. Sualauvi Fa'alogo. Reserves: 18. Ata Mariota, 19. Clayton Faulalo.

France: 1. Arthur Mourgue, 2. Benjamin Laguerre, 3. Latrell Siegwalt, 4. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, 5. Léo Darrelatour, 6. Cesar Rouge, 7. Théo Fages, 8. Romain Navarrete, 9. Benjamin Garcia (c), 10. Lambert Belmas, 11. Arthur Romano, 12. Mathieu Jussaume, 13. Julian Bousquet. Interchange: 14. Amir Bourouh, 15. Tiaki Chan, 16. Jordan Dezaria, 17. Mathieu Cozza. Reserves: 18. Thomas Lacans, 19. Louis Grossemy.