Rugby League Internationals: Five things to watch as Australian Kangaroos take on Toa Samoa

A star winger on baby watch, Samoa’s bid for fresh talent, why Kangaroos’ experience could count against them and more. Read about five of the key storylines heading into Saturday’s Test.

The Australian Kangaroos take on Toa Samoa on Saturday evening in the first men’s game of the Pacific Championships.

Read about five of the key storylines heading into the clash.

1. SECRET POACHING RAIDS

Samoa coach Ben Gardiner revealed he had reached out to every player with Samoan heritage in a bid to bring the game’s best talent to the Pacific nation.

While he was able to secure the high-profile defection of Murray Taulagi, Kangaroos players Payne Haas, Tino Fas’asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow withstood the call – for now.

“It’s about building trust. We wanted to connect with all of the players and let all the players that were eligible to play for Samoa know that we wanted them here,” Gardiner said.

“At the end of the day it was a decision for them to make. We chatted to them throughout the year and talked to them about the camps and what was going to happen, then when I came on board towards the end of the year I reached out to all of the players as well.

“We would open our arms to any player that wanted to commit to Samoa.”

Mal Meninga wants Payne Haas to play for Australia for the rest of his rugby league career. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said he was pleased to see more players represent their ancestral nations even if it came at the expense of Australia, but was intent on keeping Payne Haas in green and gold.

“We want to give Payne a really good experience in the green and gold jersey so he stays for the rest of his career, that’s my objective,” Meninga said.

“He’s such a great player, obviously touted as one of the best front rowers to ever play the game, and he’s chosen to play for Australia.

“I’m really happy he’s part of our set-up. We want to provide that environment for him so that he wants to keep on playing for us.”

2. BRIAN ON BABY WATCH

Toa Samoa winger Brian To’o will be keeping his eyes glued to his phone in the lead-up to kick off with his wife Sala Moesha expecting to give birth imminently.

Brian To'o and partner Sala Moesh are expecting their first child imminently. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jonathan Ng

At this stage he is expected to play but Newcastle winger Greg Marzhew is on high alert.

“We actually had one baby during the week, Terrell (May)’s partner had her baby so he raced home on Sunday night or Monday night which was really cool for him, then came back,” Gardiner said.

“That’s what it means to these guys. That says a lot about what we’re building here.

“Bizza (To’o) on the other hand, his partner hasn’t had the baby yet so he’s ready to go when that comes. But at the moment he is committed to the game for (Saturday) night.”

3. SPINE-TINGLING MATCH-UPS

While this Toa Samoa team is one of the best seen in recent years, the spine is where Australia’s experience is obvious.

Collectively, the Kangaroos have 1038 NRL and 53 Test matches between the four spine members of James Tedesco, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt.

Munster, who could be considered the baby of the Australian spine, has both more NRL games and more Test appearances than the entire Samoan spine combined.

Samoa’s backbone quartet share just 131 NRL appearances and six Tests – all coming from five-eighth Stephen Crichton.

Stephen Crichton will play his first top class game as a five-eighth. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Sualauvi Faalogo, Daejarn Asi and Gordon Chan Kum Tong will all be treated to an international debut baptism of fire as they take on the world’s best team on their home turf.

Gardiner said his new-look spine had jelled well so far.

“We’ve put some really good time into organising our attack and our D and I think our spine played a big part in that,” Gardiner said.

“We’ve got some experienced players across the team and one of our spine members is extremely experienced so it’s just a matter of them getting out there and doing their job and executing their role within the team.

“If they can do that, the strength of the team will take over and that’s what we plan to do.”

Meninga backed his old guard to get the job done.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in the key positions and I think that’s one of our assets,” Meninga said.

“We’ll see what happens though, because sometimes attitude and enthusiasm beats talent.”

4. BATTLE OF THE WINGS

Many expected Maroons flyer Taulagi to be included in Meninga’s Kangaroos squad, and even the most one-eyed Penrith supporters wouldn’t have predicted Dylan Edwards would instead wear the No.2 jersey.

Murray Taulagi is set for his Samoa debut less than a month after representing the Australian PM’s XIII. Picture: NRL Imagery

With Selwyn Cobbo lining up on the other flank for his Australian debut, it will be no surprise if Samoa target the inexperienced edges.

Gardiner expected his wingers to run hard and carry the team out of their own half.

5. CHANCE TO IMPRESS

With Valentine Holmes serving a one-match suspension – and Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic injured – Saturday is a chance for Kangaroos debutants Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Kotoni Staggs to put their hands up as future Australian centres.

Meninga said their performances would indicate who remains in the team to play New Zealand.

“We’ll go back to the selection table next week and we’ll pick a team going forward but at the moment they’ve got first shot and hopefully they’ll grab it,” Meninga said.

Originally published as Rugby League Internationals: Five things to watch as Australian Kangaroos take on Toa Samoa