Toa Sāmoa hungry for revenge as they chase World Cup final spot

Toa Sāmoa have a chance to settle an old score when they face defending champions Australia in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final in Sydney on Sunday.

Four years after the Kangaroos ended Sāmoa's fairytale run with a 30-10 win in the 2022 final, skipper Junior Paulo says the loss still burns.

“Look, to lose a grand final like that, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't burning for the guys who were there,” Paulo told journalists.

“But that's '22 and this is 2026 and, with the squad that we've got now, everyone's just keen on moving forward and obviously you want to look back and find ways to motivate the team.

“I don't think that's going to be a problem for us this week.”

The tournament was officially the 2021 Rugby League World Cup but was postponed to 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sāmoa come into the semi-final after a bruising 20-18 loss to Tonga in their final pool match but have made only one change to their side.

Ronald Volkman comes into the five-eighth role after Chanel Harris-Tavita was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Benaiah Ioelu is named at hooker with Jazz Tevaga on the bench while Deine Mariner returns to the interchange after recovering from his hamstring injury.

Ronald Volkman steps into the five-eighth role for Sāmoa after Chanel Harris-Tavita was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Paulo knows what a win over Australia would mean for Sāmoa. “It's a privilege to be in this position for us and it's an opportunity to be a part of history and hopefully what can be one of the biggest upsets,” he said.

Paulo is also free to lead Sāmoa into Sunday’s semi-final after avoiding a suspension over his tackle on Tongan winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Australia have named the same starting side that beat the Cook Islands 66-6. James Tedesco is again named on the bench and Reece Walsh is keeping the fullback spot.

Australia coach Kevin Walters knows Sāmoa will bring a different challenge after their physical battle with Tonga.

“Sāmoa were very impressive in a physical battle which had a lot of emotion last weekend against Tonga and we know we are in for a tough contest on Sunday night,” Walters told media.

“It's going to be a great occasion in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium, and we've got to meet the occasion with our best performance of the tournament.”

Kevin Walters and his Australian Kangaroos are chasing another World Cup title when they meet Sāmoa in Sunday's semi-final. Photo/Photosport/Dan Peled

The Kangaroos have won the past two World Cups and are chasing a fourth title but Sāmoa have already shown they can push the sport's biggest teams.

Their 2022 run included a famous semi-final win over England before they fell short against Australia in the final. Now, Paulo and his teammates have another chance to reach the World Cup final and another shot at the side that ended their historic run four years ago.

The winner will meet either Tonga or New Zealand in next weekend's final. Tonga have been dealt a late blow with star centre Robert Toia ruled out with a minor leg injury. Paul Alamoti will replace him in the starting side against New Zealand.

Isaiya Katoa, who played the full 80 minutes in his return from an ankle injury against Sāmoa, will again partner Tui Lolohea in the halves. Tonga last beat New Zealand at a World Cup in 2017, when David Fusitu'a scored a hat-trick in their famous 28-22 win in Hamilton.

For Paulo and Toa Sāmoa, the challenge is clear: beat the defending champions and turn the pain of 2022 into a new chapter.

Toa Sāmoa vs Australia: Sunday 8 November at 10.05pm (NZT). All matches are broadcast live and exclusively in Australia on Seven and 7plus, on Sky Sport in New Zealand and Digicel in Papua New Guinea.

TEAMS

Toa Sāmoa: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Fullback), Brian To'o (Winger), Izack Tago (Centre), Stephen Crichton (Centre), Sualauvi Fa'alogo (Winger), Ronald Volkman (Five-Eighth), Jarome Luai (Halfback), Francis Molo (Prop), Benaiah Ioelu (Hooker), Junior Paulo (Prop), Connelly Lemuelu (Second Row), Jermaine McEwen (Second Row), Francis Manuleleua (Lock). Interchange & Reserves: Jazz Tevaga, Spencer Leniu, Shawn Blore, Ata Mariota, Clayton Faulalo, Deine Mariner, Pasami Saulo, Enari Tuala, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. Coach: Ben Gardiner. Ins: Deine Mariner, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Enari Tuala, Pasami Saulo. Out: Chanel Harris-Tavita.

Australia Kangaroos: Reece Walsh (Fullback), Jack Bostock (Winger), Kotoni Staggs (Centre), Bradman Best (Centre), Tom Trbojevic (Winger), Cameron Munster (Five-Eighth), Tom Dearden (Halfback), Patrick Carrigan (Prop), Harry Grant (Hooker), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Prop), Jacob Preston (Second Row), Liam Martin (Second Row), Isaah Yeo (Lock). Interchange & Reserves: Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Latrell Mitchell, James Tedesco, Lindsay Smith, Sam Walker, Blayke Brailey. Coach: Kevin Walters. Ins: Blayke Brailey, Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, Sam Walker. Out: David Fifita.

Match officials: Adam Gee (Referee), Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski (Touch Judge), Tyson Brough (Touch Judge), Chris Butler (Senior Review Official).