Toa Samoa

On October 8, when the Toa Samoa international test team takes on the formidable Fiji Bati team, Lafai will be putting on that blue jersey once again.

“I always love running with these guys and coach Matt (Parish) has been doing a phenomenal job with the development of the team throughout the years and I’m excited to hit the field again with that signature blue on,” said Lafai.

Lafai started his career when he was only 19 years old in 2011 when the Bulldogs offered the Samoan centre a contract in the NRL.

Recently he moved to join the St George Illawara Dragons.

Coach Matthew Parish is also very much aware that the Fijian team has eight NRL players who were in the same team that defeated Toa Samoa in the 2013 Rugby League World playoffs.

“It’s a very strong team they’ve picked and some of those are key playmakers in the NRL and they also played a big role in our defeat in the last world cup,” he said.

“However, while they have a really strong team I also believe that the team Samoa will assemble here in Apia will be one of the strongest we’ve ever had on the field and its very exciting times,” he added.

Fiji Times reports the side has two boys from the Fiji Residents team and 12 players from the NRL competition and four are playing in local competition in Australia.

The Bati lineup against Samoa on October 8 is: Sitiveni Moceidreke, Tyrone Phillips, Kevin Naiqama, Brayden Williame, Marcelo Montoya, Henry Raiwalui, Maurice Kennedy, Kane Evans, Apisai Koroisau, Vitale Roqica, Viliame Kikau, Eloni Vunakece, Korbin Sims, James Storer, Erevonu Kamikamica, Petero Nakubuwai, Pio Seci and Saimoni Lomaloma.

Photo: Fiji Bati coach Mick Potter

The match coincides with Rugby League Samoa’s 30^th anniversary this year.

“We take pride in supporting our sports and Rugby League Samoa has been performing really well with their results and because of their performance including having been fourth in the world in Rugby league, we at Digicel believe it’s crucial to get involved,” said Digicel Samoa CEO Rory Condon.

This follows a bold move by the Rugby League International Federation to change its eligibility rules now allowing eligible players to nominate one tier one team, and one tier two team to represent.

Players can also switch between their two countries multiple times within a World Cup Cycle.

The biggest trouble Samoa Rugby League has been dealing with is the previous eligibility law that really tied down players of Pacific descent from competing for their nations.

“The rule changes are a massive positive for Rugby League leading into the 2017 World Cup.”

Coach Matt Parish has been scanning through the list of players this past week to come up a formidable side for the test match.

Parish says he has a larger pool of athletes to select from thanks to NRL Secretariat and new Rugby League World Cup CEO, Andrew Hill.

He says most of the players are currently in NRL or Super League.

Parish adds many players are excited about the prospect of playing for Toa Samoa since the test match was announced in May.

Hill, who takes up his new role at the end of the month, is visiting Samoa to finalise preparations for the test match between Toa Samoa and Fiji Bati in October.

 “Every country in the world, who plays rugby league, every time they play against Samoa they actually know that they have to be at their best performance,” said Hill.

“Anyone who has watched the last four nations in 2014, under Matt’s coaching, Samoa should have won two of those three games,” he added.

Toa Samoa will play 3 pool matches:

Toa Samoa v New Zealand 
Saturday 28 October 2017
Mt Smart Stadium AUCKLAND

RNZI reports the Toa beat Tonga 18-6 at the weekend in the Pacific Test to retain the Polynesian Cup while Fiji were upset 24-22 by Papua New Guinea in the Melanesian Cup.

Rugby League International Federation Deputy Chair John Grant said the Test is a fitting way for Samoa to celebrate 30 years of rugby league in the country.

Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish told Fox Sports he will pick Milford for their 7th May test against Tonga in Parramatta if he is overlooked by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga for their one-off clash with New Zealand next month.

Milford played for Samoa at the 2013 World Cup but switched his allegiances the following year in a bid to be eligible for State of Origin.