Samoa have taken a shock 12-6 lead in the Pacific Championships final, with Jarome Luai setting up superstar winger Brian To’o before an intercept from Simi Sasagi stunned the Kiwis.
In front of a sea of blue as CommBank Stadium, the Samoan forwards have rampaged through New Zealand’s middle, with Junior Paulo playing a starring role.
From there, a shooting Matt Timoko couldn’t bring Luai down, who skipped past his man before setting up a crucial try.
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MATCH CENTRE: Kiwis vs Samoa teams, scores, videos, updates
“Samoa is on the board.. the sound bursts through the stadium, what a moment,” Andrew Voss said.
Blaize Talagi nailed the conversion from the sideline in a statement moment for his nation.
Luai, meanwhile, has been front and centre of a pair of scuffles, riling up his opponents in trademark fashion.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, Sasagi enjoyed a brilliant moment, collecting a Kieran Foran cut-out pass before streaking away to score.
But the Kiwis hit back only moments later, with Erin Clark finding Naufahu Whyte who crossed for his side’s first points of the afternoon.
PRE-GAME WRAP
Jarome Luai has played State of Origin and NRL Grand Finals, but the Samoan captain insists today’s Pacific Championships final against New Zealand will be one of the most emotionally intense matches of his career.
Speaking with The Daily Telegraph, Luai forecast fireworks as Samoa look to beat their big brothers New Zealand in a massive clash on Sunday.
“It’s going to be a bloodbath. It’s the same sort of type of intensity (as State of Origin), but I can’t speak highly enough of the emotion that I feel with the Samoan anthem and things like that,” Luai told The Daily Telegraph.
Samoa have never beaten New Zealand but came within 6 points in the earlier rounds of the tournament and will get their chance at revenge today in the final after a convincing win over Tonga.
Luai has ties to three countries, but his Samoan heritage remains central, shaped by a childhood immersed in Samoan traditions.
“I always sing the Australian national anthem. My parents are heavily connected to New Zealand, so I sing their national anthem as well.
“But when the Samoan anthem comes on I can’t help myself but shed tears every single time. That’s the sort of emotional connection everyone sort of has to Samoa.
“Blood is thicker than water at the end of the day. That is what it is all about.”
There will be no shortage of inspiration and emotion in the final as Samoa looks to create history at CommBank stadium.
The 28-year-old says it’s something they have had to address as the pre-game is unlike a regular NRL game.
“You sing the anthem and emotions are high,” Luai explained.
“You do the siva tau and emotions are even higher. After that point you’ve got to regulate your emotions to come back and realise that you have a job to do now.
“So, I think that’s been important for us, to find that balance before the game. At the end of the day, you still have got to embrace that feeling and soak it in because you never know when your last opportunity to do all that is going to be.”
Claiming the Pacific Championships would be a landmark achievement for Samoa, and the team’s prospects are even brighter with stars like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on board and the possible addition of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for next year’s World Cup in Australia.
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Meanwhile, Dylan Brown has the chance to win the Golden Boot with another big performance after Reece Walsh failed to dominate against England despite scoring two tries.
Payne Haas could potentially play his last game of rugby league if he moves to R360 as Samoa look to win their first title.
Stacey Jones has named the same 17 that dominated Tonga last week as the Kiwis chase their second Pacific Cup title.
Kieran Foran will start at halfback in his final game of rugby league, partnering with Brown in the halves.
Keano Kini again starts at fullback after receiving a late call-up last week, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shifting to centre, while captain James Fisher-Harris will lead a monster pack.
Samoa welcome back forward Jaydn Su’A, who missed the win over Tonga with a concussion.
Su’A replaces Jeremiah Nanai, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Jazz Tevaga has been named in the starting side after coming off the bench last game, with Benaiah Ioelu shifting to the pine.
It sets the scene for a massive clash between two heavyweight teams heading into next year’s World Cup year.
TEAMS
New Zealand Kiwis: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Casey McLean 6. Dylan Brown 7. Kieran Foran 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Moses Leota 11. Briton Nikora 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Zach Dockar-Clay 20. Josiah Karapani
Samoa team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Deine Mariner 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Jarome Luai 8. Francis Molo 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Simi Sasagi 13. Junior Paulo 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Benaiah Ioelu 16. Terrell May 17. Josh Papali’i 18. Ata Mariota 19. Ativalu Lisati 20. Clayton Faulalo 21. Lyhkan King-Togia
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