Divisive coach hits 'put up or shut up' crossroads

2 years ago 78

The Rugby League World Cup 4th finals contiguous a crossroad of sorts for Samoan rugby league, and by hold for nationalist men's manager Matt Parish.

Toa Samoa spell up against Pacific Islands rival Tonga successful a mouthwatering clash that promises to be adjacent parts entertaining and emotional, fixed the value of specified a crippled for some nations.

Tongan rugby league has experienced an unthinkable upsurge successful the past fewer years. Men's manager Kristian Woolf has lifted the squad to No.2 connected the satellite rankings, down lone New Zealand.

It began with a stunning 16-12 triumph implicit Australia - past ranked No.1 successful the satellite - astatine Eden Park three years ago. They've since beaten Great Britain and New Zealand arsenic well, to beryllium considered a genuine contender astatine events specified arsenic this World Cup.

The defection of superstar fastener and 2016 Dally M medallist Jason Taumalolo from New Zealand to Tonga kickstarted a question of apical NRL endowment pledging allegiance to tier 2 nations alternatively than the Kangaroos oregon Kiwis.

Samoa is present benefiting conscionable arsenic overmuch arsenic Tonga. NSW Blues playmaker Jarome Luai chose to beryllium disposable for Toa Samoa alternatively than the Kangaroos, arsenic did Queensland prop Josh Papalii, Penrith winger Brian To'o, and Roosters sensation Joseph Suaalii.

This influx of endowment made a 60-6 thumping astatine the hands of England successful the opening World Cup crippled each the much baffling for Samoa.

Leading commentator Andrew Voss led the calls for Parish to beryllium ousted immediately, labelling the show "insipid" and proclaiming "I would nonstop them location based connected that".

Samoa did, to its credit, bounce back. Big victories implicit Greece (72-4) and France (62-4) followed, but the existent litmus trial looms successful the aboriginal hours of Monday greeting (AEDT) erstwhile Toa Samoa instrumentality connected Tonga successful the 4th finals.

Parish is ne'er acrophobic to spar with media oregon his critics - this week asking journalists, "are you going to constitute the information tonight?" astatine the commencement of a property league - but the clip has travel to enactment up, oregon to unopen up.

Toa Samoa has to astatine the precise slightest beryllium competitory with their Pacific sibling if the players privation to person everyone that things are, indeed, good and dandy successful camp. With the endowment successful their squad determination is simply nary excuse for different belting.

And if Samoa tin triumph this 4th final, it sets up a apt semi-final reunion with England, and a accidental for revenge.

MEN'S RLWC QUARTER FINALS

All times successful AEDT

Australia vs Lebanon, Saturday 6.30am

England vs Papua New Guinea, Sunday 1.30am

New Zealand vs Fiji, Sunday 6.30am

Tonga vs Samoa, Monday 1.30am

WHO DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT

Pool A: France, Greece

Pool B: Italy, Scotland

Pool C: Ireland, Jamaica

Pool D: Cook Islands, Wales

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!