New Zealand Rugby League

Samoa Rugby League

By Richard Cowley, Updated: 27/10/13

Teams: New Zealand v Samoa

Venue: The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, England. Capacity 15,200

Date: Sunday 27th October 2013

Kick-off time: 6pm

Sydney (Australia – New South Wales) Monday, 28 October 2013 at 5:00:00 AM

Brisbane (Australia – Queensland) Monday, 28 October 2013 at 4:00:00 AM

Auckland (New Zealand) Monday, 28 October 2013 at 7:00:00 AM

Apia (Samoa) Monday, 28 October 2013 at 8:00:00 AM

2013 RLWC Ticket information: http://www.rlwc2013.com/tickets

2013 RLWC TV viewing information: Channel Seven will broadcast all RLWC2013 matches live in Australia on the 7mate channel. In the UK the BBC will show all England games along with the RLWC Final while Premier Sports will broadcast all other RLWC games.

Overview: New Zealand will start their World Cup defence against Pacific Neighbour Samoa at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. Having won the rugby league world cup for the first time in 2008 the Kiwis will be looking to go back to back. The Kiwis will be favourites to top their group and will be boosted by the inclusion of Sonny Bill Williams.

New Zealand touched up the Cook Islands 50 -0 in a world cup warm-up match over the weekend. The Kiwis will be looking to put on the same amount of points when they meet Samoa in Warrington.

The Samoans will be out to cause an upset in their first match of the World Cup. Samoa have been slowly getting stronger due to the increase in Samoan players playing in the NRL and Super League. If all available players stay injury free Samoa’s star studded line-up will fancy their chances against the Kiwis.

Samoa where outclassed in their warm-up match against the England Knights in Salford 52 – 16. The Samoans could be looking at a similar scoreline if they don’t turn things around before they meet New Zealand at Warrington on Sunday in their opening match of the tournament.

For more information on the 2013 RLWC click here

To talk to other fans about the 2013 RLWC click here

2013 RLWC New Zealand v Samoa teams

New Zealand 2013 RLWC team to play Samoa:

1. Josh Hoffman

2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

3. Dean Whare

4. Bryson Goodwin

5. Manu Vatuvei

6. Kieran Foran (Vice-captain)

7. Shaun Johnson

8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

9. Issac Luke

10. Jesse Bromwich

11. Frank Pritchard

12. Sonny Bill Williams

13. Simon Mannering (Captain)

14. Elijah Taylor

15. Sam Kasiano

16. Sam Moa

17. Frank-Paul Nu’uausala

18. Greg Eastwood

19. Ben Matulino

Head coach: Stephen Kearney

Samoa 2013 RLWC Squad: Leeson Ah Mau

David Fa’alogo

Pita Godinet

Harrison Hansen

Joseph Leilua

Reni Maitua

Penani Manumalealii

Mose Masoe

Suaia Matagi

Anthony Milford

Junior Moors

Ben Roberts

Junior Sa’u

Iosia Soliola

Sauaso Sue

Mark Taufua

Daniel Vidot

Antonio Winterstein

Frank Winterstein

Head coach: Matt Parish