Rugby League World Cup 2022: Will Samoa, Tonga repeat spine-tingling moment from 2017 clash
Samoa and Tonga produced one of the most incredible World Cup moments when they came together before kick-off in 2017. But this time there’s much more at stake.
The whisper is that Samoan captain Junior Paulo and his Tongan counterpart Jason Taumalolo have been speaking behind closed doors this week. Discussing their plans prior to kickoff in their World Cup quarter-final and the timing of their respective war cries.
Five years ago, they produced one of the most spine-tingling moments of the last World Cup as they formed a prayer circle before the game began and then performed the Siva Tau and Sipi Tau in unison.
Samoa and Tonga are bitter rivals on the rugby league field, but they are also kindred spirits who have become a beacon of hope for their respective nations.
In the early hours of Monday morning, one will make it through to the last four of the World Cup and a nation will be in raptures.
“It means a lot to both nations and it means a lot to the players,” Samoa coach Matt Parish said.
“They are so competitive but there is also is a top four position at the World Cup for who goes through.
“For the country (of Samoa), it would put them on the map. All those Pacific nations, Tonga included, have been through a tough time with Covid and no tourism.
“It would make rugby league the No.1 sport on the island, which is something we have talked about. We would like to think it would inspire other young Samoan sportspeople, no matter what sport they play.
“We have some pretty good role models in our team. It is hard to put it into words. You have seen the support Tonga have been able to generate through their success.
“We would be hopeful if we can beat them this weekend, we would be able to generate the same sort of support.”
Taumalolo kick-started a Pacific Island revolution a few years back when he opted to choose Tonga over New Zealand. Others soon followed but it was Samoa’s turn this time round to benefit as a slew of players pledged their allegiance to the nation, among them Jahrome Luai, Joseph Suaalii, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton.
It didn’t help them in the opening game at this tournament as they were hammered by England, prompting a crescendo of criticism and calls for changes at the top.
Parish held his nerve and Samoa turned things around, beating France to guarantee their place in the quarters.
“We didn’t build it up to be the be-all and end-all,” Parish said of the England loss.
“Yes, we wanted to play well. Yes, we should have played well. But it was the start of our campaign.
“It was always about the last game and not the first game. We came up against an English team that had been in training for three weeks and had a warm up game.
“We didn’t get our full team on the park until Tuesday - we had two training sessions together. We didn’t play a warm up game.
“We were never going to be anywhere near our best for the first game, but granted we should have been better.
“We got over it pretty quick and moved on. The next day, the belief in the players still hadn’t changed.
“Again, the first game wasn’t pretty (but) it certainly didn’t change the belief in our group.”
That belief will be tested on Monday morning. Tonga have won the past two games between the nations, although the last of those was four years ago and Samoa has undergone a facelift since.
Parish has been at the helm for nearly a decade and he may never have a better chance to go deep into a World Cup, remarkable to think given the way Samoa started the tournament.
“This game highlights what the World Cup is about,” Parish said.
“It isn’t just about Australia and New Zealand and England. It is about the emerging nations as well.
“That is why I hope everyone stands by and supporters nations like Greece and Ireland. It wasn’t that long ago that Tonga and Samoa were getting thrashed as well.
“We have to keep supporting the international games - not just give up because there are one or two bad scores.
“It is going to be a fantastic game. They have been unbelievable in the last four years with what they have done.
“We have been inspired by them. It is always special playing against Tonga because it is like playing against your big brother or little brother.
“They are both from the Pacific, very similar stories. Tonga have had the wood on us and they have improved significantly to be among the top couple of teams in the world.
“It is certainly something we have to try to peg back and emulate. For us to make the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time would be massive.
“It is a real goal for this group and the belief hasn’t changed, even after the first game.”
WHY RADLEY REALLY CHOSE ENGLAND OVER STATE OF ORIGIN
Nigel Radley had one piece of advice when his son Victor mentioned he was ready to pledge his allegiance to England. Don’t go in half-hearted, Nigel told his son. If you decide to play for England at the World Cup, give it your all.
“I think I was at home and I was like if that is your call, if you are going to do it, just don’t do it half-hearted,” Nigel Radley said.
“It was a big decision to rule himself out of [State of] Origin. I was in shock but his mum was in more shock than me.
“I said, ‘It is your decision, if you are happy with it just go with it’.
“I didn’t think he would give up Origin to be honest.”
Radley stunned everyone with his decision midway through the year to commit to England, ending his hopes forever of wearing a sky blue jersey.
Nigel, it appears, was as surprised as anyone.
He was born in England but moved to Australia in his early 20s.
He has never forgotten where he comes from and retains a broad accent. When the Ashes are on, he always supports England.
Victor had no such ties to England, only the emotional links that come with being the son of a proud Englishman.
Ask Nigel, and he reckons things changed during this year’s State of Origin series.
Radley was part of the Blues extended squad but his dad reckons he could sense that he was down the pecking order, stuck behind Isaah Yeo and Cameron Murray.
Radley was fighting an uphill battle to crack the Blues while being wooed by England in the background.
“He said to me a long time ago that he was thinking of playing for England, and I was like, ‘That is a big call’,” Nigel said.
“He went away and spoke to a few more people. I think he spoke to Adrian (Lam) and the England coach [Shaun Wane].
“A few other players like [Roosters teammate] Luke Keary. I think he said, ‘Just go with your gut’.”
Nigel has been in the land of his birth over the past fortnight, visiting relatives and relishing every appearance his son has made for England.
Radley has starred in an England side that has made short work of their opponents through their opening three pool games.
They destroyed Samoa in their opener and cruised past Greece and France after that.
They face Papua New Guinea on Saturday night (AEDT) for a place in the semifinals and there is a genuine belief in these parts that England are on the verge of something special, having been gifted a soft draw that means they won’t face New Zealand or Australia until the final.
Hopes have been raised as England eye off a win on home soil that would go a long way towards reinvigorating rugby league in this country.
Radley is doing his part. If England are to win the World Cup, he will be a pivotal figure. There have been moments in his career when he has appeared on the verge of throwing it all away, his judiciary record threatening to bring him undone.
Nigel insists his son has paid the price for his reputation at times.
It has been hard for a father to watch.
“It was really hard last year because I think he got picked on a bit,” Nigel said.
“They wanted to make an example of someone and they picked him. He was just unlucky. What can you say — he plays like he plays.
“You can’t change the way he plays. He is going to get one wrong every so often. That is part of the game. I never see him go in with any dog shots or high shots.
“He goes in to tackle the man. That is what I am proud of.”
It’s not the only thing he is proud of.
It is hard to imagine a prouder moment for the English side of the Radley family than the opening game of the World Cup, when Victor belted out the national anthem in an English jersey.
It was a day few believed would ever come. Nigel was among them.
“I would have been proud for him to play for Australia just as much,” Nigel said.
“I am English, it is great for me. I think his mum is happy. My mum and dad are gone now but my dad would have been ultra proud of him.
“My dad was sports mad. I wish he could have seen him play for England. Even his mum said, ‘If that is what you want to do, just give it your all’.
“Which he tends to do anyway.”
So what would winning a World Cup in the jersey of England mean to the Radley family?
“I would be very proud I can tell you that,” Nigel said.
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