RLWC: Meninga bristles at suggestions Samoa playing with more passion than Australia

Samoa defeated Australia on the World Cup Team of the tournament tally board - but it was another ‘insult’ that fired up Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

Will James Tedesco (L) get the last laugh over Joey manu (R)?

Joey Manu has bounced back from defeat in the World Cup semi final to score not one but two victories over his Sydney Roosters teammate James Tedesco this week. Tedesco, however, may yet have the last laugh.

Manu picked up the Golden Boot award as the game’s best international player at the Australian team hotel on Tuesday night (AEDT), having flown back from a holiday in Greece to be on hand for the ceremony.

Earlier in the day he had been named in the team of the tournament for the World Cup, beating Tedesco to the coveted fullback position.

Will James Tedesco (L) get the last laugh over Joey manu (R)?

Tedesco won’t be too concerned given he may finish up the biggest prize of all as he prepares to lead the Kangaroos onto Old Trafford on Sunday morning (AEDT) in pursuit of the World Cup.

Manu was one of only two New Zealand players named in the team of the tournament. Australia fared only slightly better - they had four. Samoa, the Kangaroos’ opponents on Saturday night - had five players.

Tim Lafai was among them, named in the centres ahead of Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell. One or both could mount a strong argument in their favour given Lafai was only brought in after Samoa suffered injuries in their opening loss to England.

Other Australian players had the right to feel snubbed. Valentine Holmes has been outstanding on the wing and Angus Crichton has been a standout in the second row.

So too Patrick Carrigan in the front row. Their omission has given the Kangaroos extra ammunition heading into the weekend as they prepare for an historic occasion at the home of Manchester United.

Dragons and Bulldogs discard Tim Lafai has impressed for Samoa. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Latrell Mitchell could not force his way into the team of teh tournament. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images for RLWC

Of the five Samoan players named in the team of the tournament, arguably their most dangerous player was nowhere to be seen.

Like Tedesco, Joseph Suaalii was overlooked in favour of Manu by the judging panel but Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga refuses to underestimate the teenage Sydney Roosters star heading into the weekend.

Meninga wanted to bring Suaalii on tour with the Kangaroos but lost out to Samoa.

Mal Meninga has rejected claims that Samoa play with more passion than Australia. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC

He refuses to hold a grudge and has only admiration for the way the 19-year-old has conducted himself throughout the tournament.

He also hit back at the implication that Samoan players were playing with more passion than the Australians.

“I am pretty happy that he made a choice - that is why I pushed it from the middle of the year,” Meninga said.

“I want players playing with passion. He wants to play for Samoa and he has a passion for it. I am really happy with my 25 players putting on the green and gold because they want to be there too.

Joseph Suaalii has been in superb form for Samoa. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

“We are no less passionate or committed than any other team. I think it has been great for the game for players to play for whoever they want to play, particularly their ancestral nation.

“We will come up with a plan to try to nullify him (Suaalii). We know he will run the ball back hard and we have to handle that.

“That is what rugby league is all about - it is confrontation. We will come up with the right answers when he carries the football.”

Easier said than done. Suaalii has been a devastating presence in the World Cup, having churned through meters and tackle busts.

“He has been awesome,” Manu said.

“He is only 19 and he is only going to get better, It will be nice to see Ted and Suaalii going at it on the weekend.

“You have seen how tough he is, especially in the backfield. Some of the stuff he does at training, the skills, he is really silky, we will definitely see that over the next few years.

“I always knew he was going to do well. It is pretty crazy what he can do. I don’t think everyone has seen what he can do yet.

“I think he has that toughness too that really makes him a great player. He is so tough, the style he plays and bringing the ball back.

“Then there is class on the end of it and skills. We haven’t seen much of that as fans. In training you see it every day. It is only time before he becomes the best player.”