Panthers everywhere, Suaalii at fullback and biggest pack possible

There probably won’t be a squad announcement as hotly anticipated as when Samoa release their team.

If the 2017 World Cup was defined by the emergence of Tonga onto the world stage as a genuine fourth contender for the title, then there’s a strong argument to be made that this year will be the coming out party for their eternal rivals.

A lot of that has to do with the Samoan surge that has turned the Penrith Panthers into the best team in the NRL: the backline that Ivan Cleary picks on a weekly basis is highly likely to be available to Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish.

They’ve even got Panthers assistant and future NZ Warriors head coach Andrew Webster on the backroom staff, as well as all the inside knowledge they could want on their group stage opponents in Richard Agar, with a wealth of Super League head coaching experience and a stint as France boss too. All they need is a Greek, though one suspects that Samoa won’t be worrying too much about the debutants.

Instead, they’ve got their sights firmly set on Newcastle and the hosts. Win the tournament opener over England and it will be the biggest of big statements. Lose, and it’s a win for the neutrals: sure, we like the underdogs story – though are Samoa even underdogs? – but we’d prefer a likely clash with Tonga in the quarters.

That would stop the rugby league world.

Certainties

This is a huge list for Samoa. Pretty much their entire 17 from the Pacific Test win over the Cook Islands are in, and it’s a lot of big names.

Let’s get the Panther contingent out of the way: Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Taylan May, Izack Tago, Jarome Luai are going to be numbers 2-6 on the teamsheet to face England, injuries permitting.

In the forwards, you can add Marty Taupau and Josh Aloiai from Manly, Francis Molo and Jaydn Su’A from the Dragons and Raymond Faitala-Mariner, who might be shifted to lock.

Josh Papali’i has declared for Samoa and Junior Paulo is expected to do so very soon too. From the Wests Tigers, Fa’amanu Brown is their bench 14 and hooker rotation option and Kelma Tuilagi should make the squad, though where and when he plays is as yet undecided.

The halfback options will include Anthony Milford and Mason Lino, who has been very impressive in Super League at Wakefield. One of those two will wear the No.7 jersey, the other will be back up.

Probables 

There’s a long list of players who are outside chances for the Kangaroos and would certainly be picked for Samoa if not chosen for Australia.

Joseph Suaalii could get a long-awaited crack at the fullback role – or as a centre with Crichton shifted to the No.1 jersey – while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Murray Taulagi are possibles but not probables for Mal Meninga and will likely turn out for Samoa.

Sharks duo Braden Hamlin-Uele and Royce Hunt are available and, given their strong club form, would be front-runners to go as forward depth.

Possibles

Samoa would love for Australia to hurry up and name a squad. Jeremiah Nanai and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will likely choose green and gold.

David Nofoaluma scored four against the Kukis, but that was without To’o and Murray Taulagi available. Jaxson Paulo could also be drafted in as a utility back. Chanel Harris-Tevita will go if injury permits: he returned late in the NRL season and should be fine.

Other outside chances include Tof Sipley and Keenan Palasia, though the front row competition is insane. Francis Molo and Bunty Afoa played midseason but are probably going to be squeezed out, as will Spencer Leniu.

Erin Clark is a hooker option alongside Brown given the absence of Jazz Tevaga (shoulder) and could cover their problem area at lock. He got picked for the Kiwis midseason, but didn’t play. Danny Levi has impressed in Super League for Huddersfield and is a specialist 9, which is more than a lot of the other options can say.

Josh Schuster has ruled himself out, though given his form for Manly, it’s debatable that he’d get picked anyway.

Predicted Samoa squad

1 Joseph Suaalii
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Izack Tago
5 Taylan May
6 Jarome Luai
7 Anthony Milford
8 Josh Aloiai
9 Erin Clark
10 Josh Papalii
11 Kelma Tuilagi
12 Jaydn Su’A
13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
14 Fa’amanu Brown
15 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
16 Junior Paulo
17 Marty Taupau
18 Chanel Harris-Tevita
19 Murray Taulagi
20 Mason Lino
21 Charlie Staines
22 David Nofoaluma
23 Braden Hamlin-Uele
24 Royce Hunt