A Historic Moment Beckons: Can Samoa's Toa Make History?
Jarome Luai, brimming with confidence, believes Samoa's rugby league team, the Toa, are even stronger now than when they stunned the world by reaching the 2022 World Cup final. The stakes are high: they're aiming to make history by clinching victory in the Pacific Cup final against New Zealand at CommBank Stadium this Sunday.
"It would be huge. It hasn’t been done before," Luai, co-captain of the Toa Samoa alongside Junior Paulo, declared. This isn't just about winning; it's about etching their names into the annals of rugby league.
Samoa's journey to the World Cup final was nothing short of a fairy tale. They became the first Pacific nation to reach the final after an extra-time thriller against England. But, despite their valiant efforts, they're yet to taste championship glory. Their recent form has been a rollercoaster, with six consecutive losses before a stunning 34-6 victory over archrivals Tonga in a weather-affected Pacific Championships clash. The match, which lasted over three hours due to a 95-minute lightning delay, showcased their resilience.
Following their triumph in front of a record 44,682 fans, the largest crowd for a Test in Australia not involving the Kangaroos since 1957, the Samoan players enjoyed a well-deserved week off. But the celebrations among their fans have been non-stop.
"It has been unreal, to be honest, the movement that has been happening in the last couple of days, not just here in Australia but around the world," co-captain Junior Paulo shared. "We saw parades happening in New Zealand, Samoa, America … all over the world, so you can only imagine what this Sunday is going to be like."
Such is the fervor that Samoan supporters had snapped up almost half the tickets for Sunday’s final even before knowing their opponent. A fan day in Sydney's west saw over 15,000 people register their attendance, a testament to the team's impact.
Their path to glory won't be easy. The Toa were edged out 24-18 by the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships opener and haven't defeated New Zealand in six Tests since 2010. But Luai and Paulo are optimistic, having learned from past defeats, including the World Cup final loss to the Kangaroos three years ago.
"Each year has been a great stepping stone and each game has been a great stepping stone from that World Cup," Luai explained. "We don’t have many results under the belt but I think the experience with the new blood that we have, and few of the old guys coming back into camp has just been great for everyone coming through the system. We have created something special once again throughout this camp and it is all about getting the work done before hand before hand and then going out there to enjoy ourselves."
Paulo emphasized the hard work that began when the squad, potentially boosted by the return of Jayden Su’A and Ata Mariota (pending concussion protocols), reassembled in Sydney.
The rise of Samoa highlights the growing competitiveness of Pacific nations. Last year, Tonga stunned New Zealand, who had inflicted a record 30-0 defeat on Australia, to qualify for the final against the Kangaroos. Further boosting their prospects, Hamiso Tabuia-Fidow has committed to the Toa for RLWC26, following Haas's decision to represent his Samoan heritage. The team will also welcome back star center Stephen Crichton.
"It would be a massive milestone for Samoan rugby league in general, but there is a lot of preparation that goes before it," Paulo stated. "Although the vision is to be at the end of the game holding the trophy you have got to put in the work and it started with us heading into camp today. It is all about locking in for the week and taking each day as it comes. "
Paulo's performance against Tonga was outstanding, earning him player-of-the-match honors. He was just ahead of Payne Haas, Luai, and Jeremiah Nanai. This match was a highlight of his career since the last World Cup campaign in 2020. Paulo is now Samoa’s most-capped international player, having made his 21st Test appearance against the Kiwis in the series opener.
"I have had the privilege to play alongside this guy a lot of times in this jersey. It is a special moment for me just to captain alongside him in this campaign. That’s pretty big for myself," Luai said of Paulo. "It just goes to show what that badge on his chest means to this guy He has put in every time for his country and it’s just been a pleasure to have his back throughout this campaign again."
But here's where it gets controversial... Could the Toa's recent success be attributed to a shift in the balance of power in international rugby league? Or is it simply a matter of the players' unwavering dedication and spirit?
What do you think? Will Samoa make history this Sunday? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
