‘We’ll have a team that’s proud to pull on the jersey’

As the NRL season wraps up, international coaches are eager to rip into the end-of-year tests.

While eyes will be fixed on the Pacific Championships in the Southern Hemisphere, the Rugby League World Cup finalists Sāmoa are headed to England for a two-test series.

Toa Sāmoa assistant coach Willie Poching said players and the coaching staff are eager to build off of last year’s Pacific Championship tests.

“We’ve started preparing from the moment this test series was announced, so there was a matter of the coach being put in place and then took direction from him.

“Continuing on from last year and the World Cup final the year before, we’re trying to carry on the momentum the team has got.

“There’s a lot of other big name Sāmoan players that play for other countries we’re trying to convince them to come across and put on the blue jersey.”

Toa Samoa prop Spencer Leniu. Photo/Toa Samoa.

Poching said the coaching staff were pleased to collaborate earlier, unlike last year’s tests where the staff were formed two-weeks out of competition.

“Last year we weren’t able to put everything together until two weeks before the tournament. The coach wasn’t in place and it was quite rushed, but we’ve had a bit of time this year to put everything together.

“It’s important we try to get a win, and go after this series. It’s not just about playing well, test football isn’t about that. It’s about getting some of that test-arena experience into some of the playing group.

“It’s a totally different game even to NRL especially up in the UK. It’s played in different conditions, it’s refereed differently and it could be a shock for some of the guys who go there for the first time.

“So you’re heavily reliant on the players that have been there before, and have been through those riggers.”

Poching, who has spent over 20 years as both coach and player in England’s Super League, said it will be special to head back to his “second home”.
“I’m excited to be going back to my second home, going back to a place that is all too familiar to me. My two boys are there, one of them I haven’t seen for nearly two years. So I’m really excited to see them after the series is done.

“I’ve always been proud to represent Sāmoa in the UK, lucky enough to play two World Cups over there for Sāmoa. You’re extremely proud, it’s a novelty to see Sāmoan teams together especially around York where we’re staying.

“There’ll be plenty of time to get those emotional times out of the way, but first and foremost is getting the job done on the field.”

Toa Samoas Rugby League World Cup squad in 2022. Photo/Toa Samoa media.

The last time the two sides met was during their clash in the RLWC final, where Sāmoa stole the win with a drop-goal by Stephen Chrichton. And in last year’s Pacific Championships tests, only five remained from that team.

With several star names rumoured to feature in the English tests, Poching assures fans they can expect a team who are “proud” to represent Sāmoa.

“Like every international team, we’ll have a team who’s proud to pull on that jersey. Everybody who comes on that tour have earned the opportunity to come across, and have put their hand up and want to do it.

“It’s unfortunate some players can’t make it through injury or some other things. The end of the year is usually wedding season, some are having babies, but whatever it is, it’s family first.

“So for the guys that come, I’m excited to work with some quality young men and great rugby league players to apply their trade and represent our people.”