Apr20-2013-Samoa-v-Tonga-14
Apr20-2013-Samoa-v-Tonga-14

Samoa will be out to restore some pride and bounce back when they meet Greece in Doncaster in their second World Cup game.

The Samoans were embarrassingly smashed 60-6 by England in their tournament opener in Newcastle, and must win against the Titans to have any hope of reaching the knockout stages.

It was a disastrous debut in the UK for the Pacific nation who had been hyped so much before the competition because of their NRL-laden squad.

The defeat proved more costly with serious injuries to Tyrone May, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Braden Hamilin-Ule suffered at St James’ Park.

Anthony Milford has also been banned for dangerous contact and will miss the match with Greece.

Chanel Harris-Tavita is expected to replace Milford in the halves, while Nu Brown will come onto the bench to replace Brown and Royce Hunt is expected to join the bench.

Salford Red Devils duo Ken Sio and Tim Lafai have also been added to World Cup squad ahead to provide depth.

Coach Matt Parish is under pressure after such a humiliating first group game.

Greece have yet to name their squad but are also nursing some injuries after their defeat to France on Monday evening.

The Greeks were brave against the French in Doncaster, in their first-ever tournament fixture, but ultimately went down 34-12.

Samoa will prove a different challenge for the mostly part-time Greece side.

The two countries have never met in a Test match or a World Cup game before.

The Europeans will be led by key players such as Souths halfback Lachlan Ilias, Newtown Jets forward Billy Magoulias and skipper Jordan Meads.


John is a freelance journalist who has been writing about rugby league for the past decade. He covered the 2013 and 2017 World Cups, has appeared on TV and radio, and been published in The I-Paper, The Guardian, The Sun, The Mirror, League Express, Inside Sport magazine and Big League. He writes regularly for Forty-20 magazine, League Weekly and co-hosts the podcasts By the Balls and Six To Go.