“Why aren’t we able to do what Tonga has done?”
Only 18 months ago, a frustrated Samoa veteran Josh Papalii raised this question.
He was sick of his proud rugby league nation underperforming on the international stage.
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Despite a swathe of high-profile NRL stars having Samoan heritage, the nation had struggled to match it with its neighbour Tonga.
The Pasifika nation lost to Fiji in the 2017 World Cup quarterfinals before they were unable to win a game in 2017, being beaten by both Tonga and New Zealand before drawing with Scotland.
Thanks to the draw Samoa progressed through to the quarterfinals but were flogged 46-0 by the eventual champions, Australia.
But despite the exasperation, Papalii’s comments came a declaration: “One of my goals is to get a really strong squad for the next World Cup”.
The reality, however, was that this came amid a period of turmoil for Samoa.
In February 2021, a group of players including Anthony Milford, Joey Leilua, Jarome Luai and Papalii himself wrote to the Samoan Prime Minister. They wanted national coach Matt Parish sacked.
The explosive document highlighted a lack of professionalism within the Samoan camp, as well as Parish’s coaching record.
While then Prime Minister Tuiaepa Sailele Malielegaoi labelled the group’s move disrespectful, it was clear there was a divide — and the cracks were growing wider by the day.
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Despite the dissatisfaction, when Papalii spoke to foxsports.com.au in May 2021 he revealed he had received text messages from some of the game’s biggest players who were considering turning their back on Australia and New Zealand to represent Samoa.
They had seen the rise of Tonga and wanted to emulate them. Jason Taumalolo’s declaration of allegiance in 2017 to the Mate Ma’s had shifted the rugby league landscape.
Now other NRL stars with pacific island ancestory were ready to follow.
And Samoa was ready to accept them.
“I remember watching that all play out back then when Jase made his move, it was inspiring,” Panthers star Brian To’o said earlier this year after pledging allegiance to Samoa.
“It showed it’s more than just a game when you make a decision about who you play for.
“You look at where Tonga is now. It’s made such an impact you probably wouldn’t think one player or a few players can have. Watching those games, it made me think about what Samoa could do and the conversations came from there.”
To’o was just one of a host of high-profile players who turned down the chance to represent the Kangaroos to instead wear the Toa Samoa’s jersey.
His Panthers teammate Jarome Luai has been a key figure. The playmaker made his debut for Samoa in 2017, before he had played an NRL game, and played a pivotal role in convincing club teammates To’o and Stephen Crichton to join him.
Then came one last shock before the 2022 Rugby League World Cup. Roosters young gun Joseph Suaalii blindsided the Kangaroos when he chose to represent Samoa.
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This came despite Australian coach Mal Meninga making it clear Suaalii was in his World Cup plans.
“One day, I hope to play for Australia. I truly believe Samoa can do great things at this World Cup and I can’t wait to be part of it,” Suaalii said at the time.
He has been vindicated
Joining To’o, Crichton and Luai along with Papalii and Eels star Junior Paulo, they have formed the nucleus of a side that has a chance to stun the rugby league world when they take on Australia in the final on Sunday morning.
For coach Parish, who has been able to heal the divide from 18 months ago, Samoa’s performance at the club was a testament to the pride his players had in the jersey.
“Passion and pride. It is an unbelievable effort from these guys,” he said.
“We have had our critics. A few things have gone against us. Five guys have gone home. We are down to the bare bones.
“These guys keep turning up for each other. They have got each others’ back.
“Plenty of people had plenty to say four weeks ago about going on planes home and all that.
“But the pride and belief and passion in this group is just phenomenal.
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“It was inspirational. To put Samoa in the World Cup final, the tiny little dot in the middle of the pacific is just incredible.”
For players like Crichton, who was born in Samoa before emigrating to Australia, it was further proof he made the right call.
“We have a lot of people all over the globe that are backing us,” Crichton said.
“We definitely see the marches they are doing back home. It was definitely for them. It inspires us a lot. We see a lot of videos on social media coming out to us. Our coach shows us a lot of videos before the game. It just motivates the boys and gives us a lot of love and support.
“This is what we strive for, to put our little country on the map. I think we’ve done that. Credit to the boys that had the opportunity to go and play elsewhere and chose the motherland to play for. I was born in Samoa, blood and blood through Samoa.
“I came over to Australia when I was two. Australia and the NRL has given me a massive opportunity to represent my family and in my first World Cup I think I owe it back to my mum and dad and my grandmother back in Samoa to play for them.”
