Anthony Milford named in Samoa side for Test against England

ANTHONY Milford is on a collision course with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett after being named in Samoa’s side to face England.

Anthony Milford has been named in Samoa’s team to face England.

ANTHONY Milford is on a collision course with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett after Samoa confirmed the playmaking sensation would line up against England next Saturday.

It’s a major boost for the Samoan side, which will also boast fellow Broncos stars Josh McGuire and Herman Ese’ese for the for the Campbelltown clash.

Bennett had been accused of standing in Milford’s way when Samoa’s selectors came calling in the past.

Anthony Milford has been named in Samoa’s team to face England.

But Samoa coach Matt Parish said that all three Broncos players emerged from Brisbane’s Thursday night win over Penrith unscathed and it was “all systems go” against the Bennett-coached England.

“It’s exciting times,” Parish said.

“It’s a massive boost to have all three of them. All three played very well (on Thursday).

“It’s great for everyone. It doesn’t matter what game you see, you want to see the best players on the field.”

Anthony Milford is “all systems go”

Milford has not played for Samoa since he represented them at the 2013 World Cup while his Brisbane teammate, McGuire, last represented the tier-two nation in a 2015 Test against Tonga.

McGuire said after Thursday’s win that he was excited to get back on to the field for Samoa and to represent that part of his heritage.

“I just love playing footy and I am happy to do that and keep my match fitness going,” McGuire said.

“It’s also a good opportunity to play for my mum’s side. I’m proud of my heritage. Getting to play against a quality team like England, it’s only going to improve my footy.”

For fellow Broncos forward Ese’ese, Saturday’s meeting with England will be his first time playing on the international stage.

The clash will also present the three Brisbane players with a chance to get some bragging rights over club coach Bennett, who is at the helm of the England team.

Josh McGuire will turn out for Samoa again. Pics Adam Head

Bennett named an impressive English squad earlier this week but Samoa are also set to field a strong line-up.

McGuire said while he has played against Bennett-coached teams before, coming up against him again does add a little extra incentive to get the win come Saturday.

“I definitely want to win,” McGuire said.

“I want to get one over him so I have some bragging rights when we come back to training.”

SAMOA SQUAD

Leeson Ah Mau — St George Illawarra Dragons

John Asiata — North Queensland Cowboys

Fa’amanu Brown — Cronulla Sutherland Sharks

Herman Ese’ese — Brisbane Broncos

Sam Kasiano — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Tim Lafai — St George Illawarra Dragons

Joseph Leilua — Canberra Raiders

Isaac Liu — Sydney Roosters

Josh McGuire — Brisbane Broncos

Peter Mata’utia — Newcastle Knights

Sione Mata’utia — Newcastle Knights

Suaia Matagi — Parramatta Eels

Anthony Milford — Brisbane Broncos

David Nofoaluma — Wests Tigers

Kaysa Pritchard — Parramatta Eels

Sauaso Sue — Wests Tigers

Antonio Winterstein — North Queensland Cowboys

Mate Ma’ Tonga Squad

Will Hopoate — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Daniel Tupou — Sydney Roosters

Brenko Lee — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Michael Jennings — Parramatta Eels

Jorge Taufua — Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Tuimoala Lolohea — New Zealand Warriors

Ata Hingano — New Zealand Warriors

Andrew Fifita — Cronulla Sutherland Sharks

Siliva Havili — St George Illawarra Dragons

Leilani Latu — Penrith Panthers

Sika Manu (c) — Hull FC

Felise Kaufusi — Melbourne Storm

Sio Siua Taukeiaho — Sydney Roosters

Sione Katoa — Penrith Panthers

Joe Ofahengaue — Brisbane Broncos

Siosaia Vave — Parramatta Eels

Addin Fonua-Blake — Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Samisoni Langi — Penrith Panthers

Patrick Kaufusi — North Queensland Cowboys

Leivaha Pulu — Gold Coast Titans

Sione Vea — Tongan Rugby League