Eight NRL Grand Final stars named in Samoa squad ahead of RLWC2021

28 Sep 2022

Eight NRL Grand Final stars named in Samoa squad ahead of RLWC2021

By Steve Mascord

A STUNNING eight members of Samoa's World Cup squad will take part in Sunday's NRL grand final, harking back to the days when dominant Aussie clubs provided the bulk of green and gold touring parties.

Teams like Parramatta and Manly in the eighties and Brisbane in the 1990s would routinely send the bulk of their players on Kangaroo Tours - the Sea Eagles provided both hookers in '82.

But the preeminence of the Toa Samoa at Accor Stadium on Sunday is compelling evidence of the massive changes that international rugby league has undergone in recent years. Even Australia is unlikely to boast as many grand final players.

Coach Matt Parish has named his squad, with Penrith's Jarome Luai, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Spencer Leniu and Taylan May all included, along with Oregon Kaufusi and Junior Paulo.

Elsewhere there's the most hyped young player in the NRL, Joseph Suaalii, and two Super League players, Danny Levi and Tyrone May.

The side is so strong that 10 players who represented Toa Samoa in a 42-12 mid-season win over Cook Islands have missed out.

There are just four survivors from the last World Cup: Nu Brown, Jerome Luai, Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo.  

See the full 24-man squad announced at Rugby League Samoa

Secure your place to see Samoa take on England at St James' Park in the RLWC2021 opening - buy your ticket at: rlwc2012.com/tickets

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