After a week in which Samoan stars apologised to their country, senior forwards Junior Paulo and Josh Papali’i say the “cut-throat conversations” following a disastrous tournament opener can be the making of their World Cup campaign.
Samoa’s 72-4 demolition of minnows Greece on Monday morning (AEDT) was the biggest win in the nation’s history, though the 60-6 thumping from England in their first game still hurts given the expectation around a side with more star power than any to wear the jersey previously.
The heavy first-up loss prompted social media posts from players, including Fa’amanu Brown and Josh Aloiai, referencing “Fa’amagaloga” – the Samoan act of “seeking forgiveness with humility”.
Paulo spoke of the cultural impact Samoa’s campaign can have after players were inundated with messages of support to counter fierce criticism of coach Matt Parish and the team’s commitment.
“We understand how much it means to wear the jersey,” captain Paulo said.
“We know we’re not just putting on the jersey and representing ourselves. It’s about carrying the whole nation on your shoulders and that next generation and the generation after that, you want to be able to inspire them to chase dreams, whether that’s footy or not.
Junior Paulo addresses the Samoa side before the clash with Greece in Doncaster.Credit:Getty
“We faced facts, it was a pretty sour day after last week’s loss.
“There was obviously going to be a lot of criticism around that loss but I think the quicker we reviewed it, the quicker we moved on and that’s what we did.”
Aloiai is Samoa’s latest injury concern after suffering what is feared to be a dislocated kneecap against Greece. He left the clash in Doncaster in a leg brace.
Players were shielded from media requests last week but controversy still followed the side when former Samoa captain Willie Poching was invited into camp for a jersey presentation, only to be turned away when he arrived. Parish has since called Poching to apologise and he was spotted at the Doncaster match.
Papali’i said morale had improved before a must-win final pool game against France.
“There were frank conversations [after the England game],” the Raiders prop said. “We had to be really honest and really cut-throat. You’ve just got to deal with it. It wasn’t pleasing coming off that field with that disappointment.”
Should Samoa account for France as expected, a mouth-watering all-Pacific quarter-final against Tonga looms.
The likes of Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Papali’i have all referenced Tonga’s rise as an international power as their inspiration in opting to represent Samoa instead of Australia, roused by the chance to spark similar success for the tier two nation.
Papali’i recalled the other side of the 2017 tournament, when Tonga took the world by storm.
He and Paulo were read the riot act by coach Ricky Stuart upon their return to Canberra as each carried an extra 10kg. Papali’i used the experience to spell out the rare opportunity this Samoan side has to his teammates.
“[2017] was a nice little holiday for myself and I was also blessed enough to win one in ’13 with the Aussie squad,” Papali’i said. “I know what it’s like to win one. That’s all I can share with these young boys.
“We know we’ve got a lot of support – with all the matches happening – in Queensland and back in New Zealand and Samoa.
“Last week everything just came out wrong. Injuries don’t help but we’ll reassess and focus on France now.”
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