Rugby League World Cup Photo: Rugby League World Cup
Toa Samoa and Australia's Kangaroos have announced their line-up for the Rugby League World Cup grand final at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester.
Kangaroo's coach Mal Meninga has made no changes to his side, who narrowly defeated the Kiwis 16 - 14 in their semi-final last weekend. Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish has made one change, with Dolphins forward Connelly Lemuelu replacing Crounulla Sharks Fa'amanu Brown in the hooker position.
All of the bookmakers hold Australia as the overwhelming favourites, but few league fans are paying attention to the bookmakers after Toa Samoa's thrilling 27 - 26 win over England.
Toa Samoa celebrate win against England Photo: www.photosport.nz / Will Palmer / SWPix
Toa Samoa players enter the final on a high with nothing to lose whilst reigning champions Kangaroos are under pressure to defend Australia's reputation as the best Rugby League nation in the world.
Pressure isn't something the Kangaroos can't handle however. In their semi-final win over the Kiwis, the Kangaroos were behind 12 - 0 early in the first half and behind 14 - 10 at half-time. But the Aussies maintained their composure, scoring the only try of the second half to win 16 - 14.
Mal Meninga has named a 19-man squad for our World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday morning! #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/bTm594dI69
— Gallagher Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) November 9, 2022
The Kangaroos also have the one of the most prolific try scorers in rugby league, Josh Addo-Carr. The Canterbury Bulldogs speedster is the NRL's fastest rugby league player and is World Cup leading tryscorer, having scored 12 tries - an average of two tries per game. Addo-Carr flaunted his speed against the Kiwis in last weekend's semi-final, when he chased down and caught a bomb kick made nearly forty metres away from the tryline.
Toa Samoa boast an extremely cohesive team, with six players from NRL champion club, the Penrith Panthers. They include star trio Stephen Chrichton, Brian To'o and Jarome Luai who have played dozens of games alongside each other. The team also boasts some of the best players in the competition including Eels forward Junior Paulo - arguably the sport's best offloader.
Toa Samoa Team List
1. Joseph Sua'ali'i
2. Taylan May
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Brian To'o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Anthony Milford
8. Josh Papali'i
10. Junior Paulo (capt.)
11. Ligi Sao
12. Jaydn Su'a
15. Royce Hunt
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Martin Taupau
20. Chanel Harris-Tavita
22. Kelma Tuilagi
23. Oregon Kaufusi
25. Tim Lafai
26. Ken Sio
27. Connelly Lemuelu
Coach: Matt Parish
Australia Kangaroo's Team List
1. James Tedesco (Captain)
2. Daly Cherry-Evans
3. Ben Hunt
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Jake Trbojevic
6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
7. Cameron Munster
8. Latrell Mitchell
9. Josh Addo-Carr
10. Jack Wighton
11. Cameron Murray
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Nathan Cleary
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Angus Crichton
18. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
20. Harry Grant
21. Liam Martin
24. Isaah Yeo
Coach: Mal Meninga
