‘We think it’s good for our team’: Samoa to double down on pre-game fireworks after epic clash against England

The epic pre-game confrontation between Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Mikey Lewis could happen again this weekend, with Samoa promising to bring the same passion.

Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has promised more of the same from his players this weekend despite criticism over Gordon Chan Kum Tong’s epic confrontation with England’s Mikey Lewis before the first Test.

The pre-game Siva Tau is always one of the most spine-tingling sights in rugby league, but last week’s one was on another level as Chan Kum Tong took it to Lewis, who didn’t take a backwards step.

The Sea Eagles hooker got in his face and stared him down, with the pair making contact before Lewis said “let’s go” at the end of the war cry.

Most people loved the confrontation between two passionate players, but former Kangaroos lock Corey Parker said he’d struggle to keep his cool if the same thing happened to him.

International Rugby League is back! We can’t wait for @England_RL next Saturday at AMT Headingley - make sure you are there https://t.co/IaNBLSDMMKpic.twitter.com/ZVX5vWpWUf

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) October 27, 2024

“If Gordon Chan Kum Tong came and pressed his head firmly into mine and I was in an Australian jumper … come on, mate, come on,” he told SEN.

“Are we supposed to just cop it because it’s a war cry? I appreciate it, I respect it, but don’t come and push your head into mine. I don’t know if I would react that kindly.”

Both Lewis and Chan Kum Tong scored late tries in the second half as England claimed a 34-18 victory, and Gardiner is backing his team to show just as much passion ahead of this weekend’s second meeting.

“Everyone is going to have their opinion, and I think that’s one of the great things about sport in general,” he said.

“Particularly in rugby league, so many people have their opinions about what goes on in the game, whether that’s the Siva Tau or whether it’s something else that happens in the game.

“I just think it’s good for the game. I don’t really want to enter into what other people’s opinions are. We think it’s good for our team and we think it’s good for the Test match series, so we’ll jump out and do the same thing again this weekend.

“We didn’t have our best performance last weekend and we think we have more in the tank.”

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck made his debut for Samoa after previously representing New Zealand. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Samoa will be without Penrith centre Izack Tago due to a “minor injury” for the second Test, but they’re expected to be more dangerous in attack now that they’ve had an extra week to work on combinations.

That starts from fullback where Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is relishing the chance to play for Samoa after representing New Zealand in both rugby league and union before he decided to honour his family and the country where he was born.

He was inspired by the likes of Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton who have all worn the blue jersey with pride, with Tuivasa-Sheck revealing his dad didn’t say anything when he told him about his decision because the tears would have flowed.

“When I was part of the Kiwis and all of the Tongan boys were making the big move, some of the Samoan boys like Bizza (To’o), Romey (Luai) and Critta (Crichton) made the move, and I knew deep down that I wished that could have been me,” he said.

“I stayed on with the Kiwis and stayed playing for who I wanted to play for, but I got the opportunity to come back to rugby league, and I definitely wanted to put my hand up for Toa Samoa this time around.”