RLWC: Samoan captain Junior Paulo speaks of relief after escaping ban
When Junior Paulo was sin-binned for a lifting tackle against England there were immediate fears he would miss the World Cup final — even his dad was concerned.
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Samoan captain Junior Paulo has spoken of his relief at being cleared by the World Cup match review committee — leaving him free to focus on preparing for the biggest match in Samoan history and a date with Parramatta teammate Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Paulo was sin-binned and placed on report during Sunday’s (AEDT) game against England at Emirates Stadium for a lifting tackle on Tom Burgess, sparking immediate fears that he would be sidelined for the World Cup final.
Even Paulo’s father, who was at the game, was concerned.
“Spoke to my dad straight after the game when I came over to the stands,” Paulo said.
“The first thing he said to me was he was worried about me going to the judiciary again. That was not what I was expecting when I came off the field — I was expecting congratulations.
“I had a bit of a smile. Like I said, these things happen in the game. Accidents are going to happen, and I am lucky to be playing this week.”
Paulo got the good news when he woke in England the day after the game, receiving a text message from coach Matt Parish confirming that the match review committee had issued him a caution and no more.
It was huge news for Samoa given Paulo is their spiritual leader and front row enforcer — his leadership, size and power will be vital if the island nation are to match the intensity of the Australian pack and his good mate Campbell-Gillard, who will be itching for a big game after a quiet performance in the Kangaroos’ semi-final against New Zealand.
Campbell-Gillard played just over 30 minutes against the Kiwis as he made his way back from injury, enough time for him to make seven runs and 20 tackles. He will be better for the run as the Kangaroos prepare to defend their title at Old Trafford on Saturday night (AEDT).
Standing in their way will be the powerful Samoan pack led by by Paulo.
“It means everything to me,” Paulo said.
“I couldn’t imagine myself missing what is going to be one of the most important games for Samoan rugby league.
“I just can’t imagine myself missing out on such an important game not only for myself, but for the people who have been supporting us over not just this tournament, but the last few years.
“I will never doubt myself. I was more so just the nerves of what was quite possible in missing out. Also that belief and a bit of faith that I was going to be able to lace up the boots for this last ride.”
Having been given a few stern words from his father immediately after the game, Paulo wasn’t game to risk another tongue-lashing after the verdict was handed down.
“I sent him a text,” he said.
“It was easier than calling him and getting a lecture from him. He was quite pleased - happy I was going to play.”
LUAI LAYS DOWN A CHALLENGE TO CLEARY
Jarome Luai has a message for his good mate Nathan Cleary as they prepare to square off in the World Cup final.
“It is going to be awesome,” Luai said.
“We are competitors though and through. It is going to be a great battle against one of my boys but out there, there are no friends on the field.
“There are only brothers and enemies, and I am always going to look at it the same way.”
Luai and Cleary last played against each other as kids. They have been brothers in arms ever since, helping Penrith to successive premierships.
They are thick as thieves but that alliance will go on the backburner this weekend as Samoa prepare for the biggest moment in their rugby league history.
Their appearance in the World Cup final owes much to the effort and commitment of people like Luai, who turned down the chance to play for Australia to play for the nation of their heritage.
Luai was at his spiky best on Saturday night (AEDT) at Emirates Stadium in London as he led Samoa to an upset win over England.
He got under the skin of England captain Sam Tomkins and created havoc with his very touch. In a matter of days he will find himself on the hallowed turf of Old Trafford against some of his closest mates. All up, Penrith will have nearly 10 players between the two sides. The premiers will be well represented and Luai won’t be changing.
“We grew up in the same comp so in the younger grades I played St Mary’s and he played Brothers,” Luai said of Cleary.
“Not at a real high scale or anything like that. So it will be pretty big stakes this time around. It is going to be a great match I think.”
Samoa have already exceeded expectations by making it this far in the tournament. After losing their opening game against England in ugly circumstances, the expectation was that they would be cannon fodder in the semi-final.
How wrong their critics were. They deserved a win that will live long in the memory of every Samoan rugby league fan.
The result owed much to Luai and his decision to pledge his allegiance to Samoa. It was the catalyst for a revolution that has led the nation to the World Cup final and a meeting with Australia.
Luai isn’t finished yet.
“All we need to focus on is the same thing we have focused on every week,” Luai said.
“We have a great team and a lot of talent in our side. Belief got us this far, Not many people did believe in us.
“Within our group there is plenty of that. So always going to believe we would shake the competition up and we are here right now. So why not win the Cup.”
SAMOA’S GOLDEN MOMENT LEAVES ENGLAND IN TEARS
The little island that could, did. Samoa are in the World Cup final. Can you imagine? Stephen Crichton broke English hearts not once, but twice at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night (AEDT) as international rugby league celebrated a remarkable 48 hours for the code.
The sides couldn’t be separated in regulation time. Up stepped Crichton in golden point as he nailed a field goal from 30 metres to seal a 27-26 win and spark wild celebrations.
Crichton was mobbed by elated teammates.
Captain Junior Paulo screamed to the heavens and sunk to his knees. Coach Matt Parish, a lightning rod for criticism after Samoa’s thrashing at the hands of England in the World Cup opener, joined the celebrations in the stands.
A month ago they were walloped by England. Samoan fullback Joseph Suaalii, the 19-year-old prodigy who pledged his allegiance to Samoa amid interest from Australia, vowed to exact revenge and that is what he and his teammates got.
🇼🇸 This is it - the moment Stephen Crichton sent Samoa to the men's Rugby League World Cup 2021 final!#RLWC2021#ENGSAMpic.twitter.com/D7p20W3YhM
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) November 12, 2022
Having overcome England, they must now find a way to beat the best team in the world, although they received a boost when Paulo was cleared of a lifting tackle late on Sunday night (AEDT) to take his place in the final.
Belief won’t beat them.
“Inspirational, passionate, what this team is all about,” Parish said.
“Unbelievable effort from these guys. A few things have gone against us — five guys gone home, down to our bare bones.
“Plenty of people had plenty to say four weeks ago (when we lost to England). The pride and belief and passion in this group is just phenomenal.
“To put Samoa in a World Cup final - that tiny little dot in the Pacific - is incredible.”
PAULO’S BRILLIANCE
Junior Paulo’s gift to Samoa left a stadium breathless. Not to mention those who rose in the early hours of the morning in Samoa to watch the skilful Parramatta prop produce what may be the moment of not just this World Cup, but maybe any World Cup.
Rugby league has rarely seen such a piece of skill from a big man. We already knew Paulo had the qualities of a halfback. Even the game’s greatest No.7s may have struggled to produce the pass that Paulo came up with to give Samoa the lead at Emirates Stadium.
Jarome Luai ran the ball on the last tackle and found a hard-charging Paulo. The burly prop was headed to ground but miraculously managed to flick the ball behind him as he crashed to the turf. Luai reacted by batting the ball on for Steve Crichton, who ran over without a hand being placed on him.
🤯 Wow wow wow!
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) November 12, 2022
Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo turn into jugglers for Stephen Crichton, who scores a truly incredible try!#RLWC2021#ENGSAM | @RLSamoa@bbcsportpic.twitter.com/HCdX84UzJj
“It would have been nice if I scored,” Paulo said.
“That is just the style of footy we play. Sometimes in a game of rugby league rather than doing blueprints and game plans, sometimes you have to play off the cuff footy.
“Some of it you don’t think, but you back your instincts and preparation.”
Paulo had been placed on report earlier in the game for a lifting tackle after he and Royce Hunt put Tom Burgess in an awkward position.
However, in a huge boost to Samoa’s chances of pulling off a World Cup miracle, he was cleared to take his place against Australia in the final.
“It is a game of footy and sometimes accidents are going to happen,” Paulo said.
“We play at a fast pace, many collisions. Unfortunately I got caught in the middle of what was very unintentional.
“That is the way footy does sometimes. Not much I can do. We will have to enjoy the moment for now and we will wait and see.
Parish said: “Obviously it was a dangerous position and he let go. Royce was in the tackle too. They didn’t go through with it, they didn’t drive him, they placed him on the ground. Tom Burgess got up and played the ball, move on.”
Even England coach Shaun Wane backed Paulo.
“The way this World Cup has been refereed has been fantastic,” Wane said.
“They’ve let the players play. I’m glad he didn’t get sent off.”
CRICHTON DOES IT AGAIN
Stephen Crichton ran out with a note on his wrist. It read: “For my people”.
“We have a lot of fans all around the globe that are backing us,” Crichton said.
“It is definitely for them. ”
Crichton did them proud. He looked to have stolen the match for Samoa with seven minutes remaining in regulation time at Emirates Stadium.
Just like he did against South Sydney one year ago in the NRL grand final. England were coming home with a wet sail in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Samoa had been brave but only one side looked like winning. That was until Crichton intervened. As England went wide searching for a match-winner, Crichton swooped on a Victor Radley pass and raced 60 metres to score.
As he raced away, Crichton pointed to the heavens. Just like he did a year ago when he did the same to South Sydney and Cody Walker.
Samoa had one foot in the final at Old Trafford against Australia. England hit back through Herbie Farnworth as he scored his second try of the match but Crichton emerged the hero anyway.
After Anthony Milford had missed a shot at field goal, up stepped Crichton to send the ball sailing between the sticks, landing the first field goal of his career.
“I was zero for four — the Penrith boys never let me do it again,” Crichton said.
“Hopefully the boys are watching and I get my licence back. I have never hit one before. I practice at every training session - you never know when these moments come about.
“I knew that I had done the work and the practice to slot it.”
A TALE OF TWO COACHES
Don’t say you weren’t warned. Parish had been bashed from pillar to post after Samoa were thrashed in the opening game of the World Cup against England.
His critics wanted his head on a platter. Parish’s response was to suggest they be judged at the end of the tournament, not the beginning.
He has been vindicated after his side produced a stunning upset against the tournament hosts. Credit where credit is due.
Samoa could have disintegrated after their opening day performance but they were galvanised. They showed character and fight.
They will get written off against Australia but they have already pulled off one upset. Don’t bet against a second.
“We knew the impact we were going to have on Samoans, not only back home but around the world,” Paulo said.
“What we have been able to create doesn’t go unnoticed from us as a playing group. We see it from week to week on social media. It is not only for people of Samoa but people of the Pacific who are happy to go out there and play footy.”
England coach Shaun Wane, meanwhile, broke down in tears as he addressed the media after the game.
“Not good enough,” he said.
“They were the better team. They had better composure, They were the best team. Just not good enough today on the biggest stage you can imagine.”
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