Fetu Samoa won praise from their Australian counterparts despite Friday night’s 40-0 loss to the defending champions in their opening pool game at the Rugby League World Cup.
Despite losing the game, the Annetta Nu’ualusala captained side out on an impressive defensive show in the second half, spoiling the Jillaroos plans a number of times.
Aussie skipper Isabelle Kelly said Samoa were impressive in the second half, saying it was a tough outing.
“I would like to congratulate Samoa,” she said.
Kelly said their opponents were tough in the second half and fought hard all the way.
Australia had led 28-0 at half-time but only managed to get 12 points in the second spell of 40 minutes.
Fetu Samoa captain Nu’ualusala said they knew Australia was going to be tough.
“Yeah we knew coming into this game that the Jillaroos were going to give it to us,” she said post-match.
“They took it out the last few years as well as the last world cup for a reason.
“You know they the pinnacle of women’s rugby league internationally, so we knew it was going to be tough.”
And she thanked the fans who backed them last night.
“You know our supporters pick us up when we needed it, especially that back to back defense in that last bit,” she said.
“We are really, really grateful for them.”
Samoa turned their defensive game on in the second spell and thwarted a number of possible Australian tries.
Winger, 18-year-old Freedom Crichton Ropati was a star, making two big tackles late in the half to stop Australia’s attacking opportunities.
Australia looked great in patches, a bit stilted in others, but clear winners in the end.
Earlier in the evening, Toa Samoa kicked off the Pacific Islands teams’ appearance at the world meet with a big 78-4 win over France.
Port Moresby will host both Papua New Guinea’s matches on Saturday.
The PNG Orchids will meet France in the women’s competition, followed by the PNG Kumuls taking on Lebanon in the men’s.
Tonga will kick off their campaign against England later Saturday night in Perth.
Fiji will be the last island teams to play in round one, with the women’s Bulikula team facing New Zealand, while the Fiji Bati tackle Cook Islands.
Both matches will be played at the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Sunday.
