Matt Parish’s Samoa outfit were one game away from lifting the World Cup trophy last year, going down to the Kangaroos last season 30-10.
Jarome Luai, alongside a band of Panthers stars led the way and guided Toa Samoa to their first ever major tournament final.
They bounced back from a heavy 60-6 Round 1 defeat at the hands of England to triumph over the hosts 27-26 thanks to a Stephen Crichton field goal in the semi final.
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Now Samoa will be out for revenge and face their Australian foes in week once of the Pacific Championships, while they are yet to decide on who will lead them forward.
With several injuries to contend with, including the potential for Luai to be omitted from the team, the incoming coach has a mammoth job on their hands to select a winning side in 2023.
Read below for foxsports.com.au’s predicted Samoa team!
FULLBACK
Incumbent: Joseph Suaalii
Contenders: Stephen Crichton, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Analysis: Joseph Suaalii snubbed the Kangaroos to represent Samoa in last year’s World Cup and performed admirably at fullback. His performances earnt him a start in the centres for the Roosters in 2023 before he was shuffled back to the wing after a run of poor form. The teenage prodigy is set for a similar fate in this Samoa outfit due to the emergence of Dolphins gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The former Cowboy was forced to travel home from the World Cup after an injury in their opening game against England. Since the NRL’s newest franchise’s first appearance, Tabuai-Fidow has been the star of the Dolphins side and is a strong chance of being named at fullback. Stephen Crichton is also a contender and will likely be second in line but will feature elsewhere in this team.
Verdict: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
WINGERS
Incumbent: Taylan May and Brian To’o
Contenders: Joseph Suaalii, Ken Sio, Mathew Feagai, Richard Kennar, Phillip Sami, David Nofoaluma
Analysis: Taylan May and Brian To’o forged a scary partnership going in to the World Cup final against Australia last year. However, May’s season ended before it begun due to an ACL blow. He is expected to return to the field next season leaving one vacant spot next to To’o who will be one of the first names on the teamsheet after yet another strong season for the Panthers and NSW. Since shifting back to the wing, Joseph Suaalii has been impressive as the Roosters surge towards finals football after a turbulent start to the season. Coach Matt Parish put his faith in the teenager last season and the incoming coach is unlikely to turn his back on him considering a number of impressive showings at the back-end of the 2023 NRL season. Phillip Sami is another strong contender and there were even calls for the Titans gun to earn a Maroons jersey this season, scoring 11 tries this season to go with 13 line breaks.
Verdict: Brian To’o and Joseph Suaalii
Burgess in line to be next Souths coach? | 01:32
CENTRES
Incumbent: Stephen Crichton and Tim Lafai
Contenders: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Izack Tago, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Mat Feagai, Enari Tuala
Analysis: Stephen Crichton is an automatic selection in this team and his defensive acumen has gone to a new level in 2023. The 22-year-old once again represented the Blues in Origin and has cemented himself as one of the most dangerous outside backs in the NRL with an impressive campaign this year. Partnering him in last year’s grand final against the Kangaroos was Tim Lafai who is plying his trade for Salford in the Super League, scoring six tries in his 15 appearances so far this season. While he was impressive in last year’s World Cup, Parish can’t ignore the form of Izack Tago who has been excellent for the Panthers this season when on the field. He battled with a leg injury for an extended period and has since returned ahead of finals. Tago also had to leave last year’s tournament early due to a niggling shoulder injury. Samoan selectors could easily swap Crichton and Tabuai-Fidow at fullback and centre, with both playing Origin in the centres but for now it looks like Crichton and Tago will forge a strong partnership.
Verdict: Stephen Crichton and Izack Tago
FIVE-EIGHTH
Incumbent: Jarome Luai
Contenders: Jarome Luai
Analysis: Jarome Luai was excellent for Samoa and was their best player in their 2023 World Cup campaign. An automatic selection who takes his game to a new level when representing his country. In this halves partnership, he will have to take more of the kicking load than he does in clubland, lining up alongside a natural five-eighth. It also remains to be seen whether he will be fit after suffering a shoulder dislocation. He could potentially return during the finals for Penrith or require surgery, but when fit he will be the first name on the teamsheet.
Verdict: Jarome Luai
HALFBACK
Incumbent: Anthony Milford
Contenders: Daejarn Asi
Analysis: Anthony Milford was the man who wore the No.7 jersey last season, but he has only featured 11 times for the Dolphins this season and will make way in this team for some young talent. Daejarn Asi has been solid while filling in for either Mitchell Moses or Dylan Brown this season at the Eels, and his versatility could see him ride the pine or start in the halves at the end of this year. Asi and Luai are two attacking players and in partnership could wreak havoc. However, both players do rely on smart halfbacks aside them in Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses in clubland. Both players will have to step up if they want to deliver as a dynamic duo.
Verdict: Daejarn Asi
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PROPS
Incumbent: Junior Paulo and Royce Hunt
Contenders: Oregon Kaufusi, Keenan Palasia, Herman Ese’ese, Josh Aloiai, Toafofoa Sipley, Martin Taupau, Pasami Saulo, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Spencer Leniu, Luciano Leilua, Royce Hunt, Jazz Tevaga
Analysis: Junior Paulo is another player who is already pencilled in to this team. Despite being dropped from the NSW side for Origin Game III his experience can’t be understated and he is set to add to his 15 Samoan caps. Alongside him could be former Eels teammate Oregon Kaufusi who left Parramatta for greener pastures ahead of the 2023 season. He has been solid for Cronulla and is a strong chance of winning the starting prop spot alongside Paulo, featuring at lock in last year’s World Cup final. However, he is set to be pipped at the post by teammate Braden Hamlin-Uele, who has been excellent for the Sharks at the back-end of the season. Kaufusi will feature elsewhere in this team alongside Royce Hunt and Spencer Leniu on the bench while Luciano Leilua and Jazz Tevaga will also get a start. Keenan Palasia, Herman Ese’ese, Toafofoa Sipley, Martin Taupau and Pasami Saulo are the remaining players in the conversation for selection. Josh Papalii also retired from representative football ahead of the 2023 Origin series.
Verdict: Junior Paulo and Braden Hamlin-Uele
HOOKER
Incumbent: Chanel Harris-Tavita
Contenders: Danny Levi, Erin Clark, Jazz Tevaga
Analysis: Chanel Harris-Tavita was the man to wear the No.9 in the World Cup final last year but has taken a year off football before he returns on a two-year deal with the Warriors. Danny Levi was Samoa’s first choice hooker but had to depart the tournament early due to family issues, however if fit he is a strong chance of once again representing his country in 2023. Upon return to the NRL with the Raiders, Levi’s season has been far from smooth sailing after he suffered a broken jaw twice. He was named on the Raiders’ extended bench in Round 27 and as such has been named in this team, while Erin Clark’s season is also over due to a shoulder injury. Jazz Tevaga is the remaining hooker option, although he has played as a utility forward for the Warriors this season. Tevaga was sidelined due to a hamstring injury but has been named ahead of New Zealand’s finals campaign. When fit he is a damaging middle forward and has also earned a spot in this team.
Verdict: Danny Levi
BACKROW
Incumbent: Ligi Sao and Jaydn Su’A
Contenders: Keenan Palasia, Connelly Lemuelu, Luciano Leilua, Josh Schuster, Michael Chee-Kam
Analysis: Ligi Sao and Jaydn Su’A were Samoa’s backrowers during the World Cup final, but both players could be missing from the team this year. Su’A’s season is over due to a shoulder injury while Sao has played 18 games for Hull FC this year. He will be ommited from the team due to the form of two players — Connelly Lemuelu and Luciano Leilua. Lemuelu has been a crucial figure in the Dolphins’ first NRL season and earned himself a lengthy contract to remain under Wayne Bennett. After a patchy start to his career with the Cowboys, the 25-year-old is well and truly an NRL starter and is a deserving selection in the backrow for his maiden Samoa cap. Leilua has also been solid for the Cowboys this season, returning to the NRL in Round 12 after he was stood down under the no fault stand down policy. Leilua also missed the World Cup last season due to the alleged domestic violence charges. Despite only featuring 11 times in 2023, Leilua is a dangerous attacking threat and is a strong chance of partnering Lemuelu on the edge.
Verdict: Luciano Leilua and Connelly Lemuelu
Burgess exits Souths as tensions explode | 02:27
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LOCK
Incumbent: Oregon Kaufusi
Contenders: Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Josh Aloiai
Analysis: Oregon Kaufusi played lock against Australia last season but has been named in his natural prop position in this team. Manly gun Josh Aloiai would have been the man picked but his season is also over due to a shoulder injury. That leaves Raymond Faitala-Mariner as a leading contender, having withdrawn from World Cup selection last season to focus on the 2023 season with the Bulldogs. His campaign hasn’t been smooth sailing and the Canterbury club captain has reportedly been informed his is free to depart the Belmore club. Lock is his natural position, however in his 14 games he has only featured in the No.13 jersey seven times in 2023. The 30-year-old could bring experience and leadership to this Samoa outfit and add to his three caps for his country.
Verdict: Raymond Faitala-Mariner
BENCH
Incumbent: Josh Papalii’i, Spencer Leniu, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Kelma Tuilagi
Contenders: Keenan Palasia, Michael Chee-Kam, Royce Hunt, Spencer Leniu, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Herman Ese’ese, Shawn Blore, Asu Kepaoa, Anthony Milford
Analysis: Spencer Leniu left last year’s World Cup early due to a shoulder injury, but when fit he is one of the NRL’s most dangerous impact forwards and was a whisker away from earning a NSW debut this season. Royce Hunt started in the front row in last year’s World Cup final and is deserving of his spot on the bench while club teammate Braden Hamlin-Uele is an underrated cog in the Sharks machine. He also packs a punch and this trio of middle forwards will likely wreak havoc coming off the bench, with Oregon Kaufusi also a chance of shifting to lock to give Faitala-Mariner a breather. That leaves the utility role, with Anthony Milford playing off the bench six times in 2023 under Wayne Bennett. His vote of confidence could see the veteran play off the bench, however Jazz Tevaga’s impact at hooker and in the middle is hard to go by and he will wear the No.14.
Verdict: Jazz Tevaga, Oregon Kaufusi, Spencer Leniu, Royce Hunt
Samoa starting 17:
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Joseph Suaalii
3. Izack Tago
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Brian To’o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Daejarn Asi
8. Braden Hamlin-Uele
9. Danny Levi
10. Junior Paulo
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Oregon Kaufusi
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Royce Hunt
Injured players in contention: Josh Aloiai, Erin Clark, Jaydn Su’A, Chanel Harris-Tavita (year off), Taylan May, Josh Papalii (retired)
