Joseph Suaalii will be bidding to end Trent Robinson’s World Cup campaign and keep his own alive as he dismissed suggestions he opted to represent Samoa to further his own long-term fullback claims.
Samoa and Suaalii’s record disposal of the Nick Politis-backed Greece outfit has set up a World Cup shoot-out against France next Monday (4am AEDT), with a likely quarter-final showdown with Tonga awaiting the winner.
Robinson is all-in on revitalising the French game as the FFRXIII’s director of rugby and a key consultant of national coach Laurent Frayssinous.
His contribution goes well beyond the coach’s box to establishing national pathways and regular Tests, with Robinson committed for the long-haul until the 2025 World Cup on French soil.
Suaalii appreciates the investment in a tier-two nation to match his own, which saw the Roosters star sacrifice a Kangaroos position and up to $40,000 in match bonuses by choosing to represent his Samoan heritage.
The 19-year-old played down the clash with Robinson while reiterating his belief Samoa can still cause a World Cup boilover despite an embarrassing 60-6 first-up loss to England.
“I don’t see it as going up against [Robinson], more just against France,” Suaalii said.
“I love Robbo and I know he’s doing a good job with the French team.
“Obviously last week was tough and we had a lot to improve on, but we still have the belief that we can win this competition.
“That hasn’t changed and that’s still the goal. We faced up to the truth out of that first game and we’ll use it for this next game coming up and get ready for France.”
Joseph Suaalii becomes a free agent once more next week.Credit:Getty
Suaalii’s future always makes for decent NRL rumour fodder, and the teen tyro will be able to officially field rival offers come next week’s November 1 free agency date.
Politis and Robinson are expected to ramp up talks with Suaalii’s camp around a long-term deal when they return to Australia. Suaalii also has another 12-month option in his favour for 2024 as an alternative to a lengthy commitment.
Rugby Australia has made its interest in Suaalii known while rival clubs are watching the fullback logjam at Bondi Junction that has James Tedesco and Joey Manu blocking Suaalii’s path to his preferred position.
That scenario prompted suggestions Suaalii chose the Samoan No.1 jersey over an Australian wing spot with his market value in mind.
“I didn’t take any notice of that,” he said. “I picked with my heart and my heart was saying play for Samoa. That was all I needed and I don’t take any notice of what anyone else says.
“This is my first time learning about the culture, my family and where they come from and I’m really enjoying that side of the Samoan people. I want to learn the language and I’m still getting involved in that.
“When everyone’s in the circle performing the Siva Tau [the traditional Samoan war dance performed before kick-off], you’re embracing your ancestors and we’ve been doing it for hundreds of years.
“To do what my grandfather did, it’s honestly just a goose bump feeling.”
Tonga stutter to win over Wales
Tonga have stumbled their way to an unconvincing 32-6 win over Wales in St Helens to move one step closer to a potential Rugby League World Cup quarter-final showdown with rivals Samoa.
Kristian Woolf’s side were way below their best in Monday night’s (Tuesday AEDT) game before rallying in the second half courtesy of a Daniel Tupou hat-trick to strengthen their hopes of finishing on top of group D.
NRL referee Kasey Badger became the first female official to take charge of a World Cup fixture.
Provided Tonga beat the Cook Islands next week and Samoa overcome France, the two giants of the Pacific look set to meet in a tantalising battle in the last eight.
Daniel Tupou touches down for Tonga against Wales at St Helens.Credit:Getty
“We made things hard for ourselves and we left a large number of points out there,” Woolf said. “There’s plenty of improvement in us and we didn’t really look too threatened too many times.
“We don’t want to be playing our best straight away, we want to be playing our best when the big games come.”
Tonga will have to improve considerably, though, after their side littered with NRL stars got a fright in the opening half-an-hour from a spirited Welsh outfit mostly composed of part-time players.
Captain Elliot Kear is a fireman, lock Joe Burke is a plumber and winger Kyle Evans, 32, only played his first game of league this year.
with AAP
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