Four Nations – Australia vs Samoa Preview
Overview
It is not often we get to see an Australian team under the pump and relying on results going their way to make a major tournaments grand final. But as they have blooded a swag of newbies that is the situation they find themselves in. At the same time we can say, who would have thought we would be watching and fist pumping for a Samoan team to make their first major grand final ever?!
The equation resembles a very simple calculus exam we all sat in 7th form.
If the Kangaroos are travelling along the M1 at 110kmph and the Samoans are travelling behind them at 105kmph and they both come to a koala krossing how many tries will England need to score in order to beat the Kiwis and therefore reach the final in Wellington? For bonus marks, how many pieces of candy does Cam Smith have if he buys a 20 pack of Moro’s but Mose Masoe beats the living shit out of him and distributes them to his team?
Players to watch
Greg Bird – With #Movember now in full swing, Greg Bird should be well into his upper-lip workout. He will also be right into this workout against the hard-hitting Samoans. Never one to shy away from the physical side of the game, Angry Bird is set to square up with one of the biggest fastest packs in the game. If Birdy comes face to face, or rather mo to mo with Mose Masoe something beautiful could happen! Actually, in all likelihood the police will be called and both men could be taken away in the back of the paddy-wagon.
Josh McGuire – The ugliest man in the game is fast becoming the most valuable player of the tournament. The Broncos front-rower has played almost every minute for Samoa in this tournament and covered lock, prop 2nd row and even hooker. The heart of a champion and lungs of a Kenyan marathon runner, McGurie just keeps popping up in the right places at he right time. He doesn’t give bad service either. Wonder if Wayne Bennett’s brain is ticking over watching him in all these ‘foreign’ positions.
Result and score prediction
Like our little calculus experience above, this one is going to be a humdinger of a game. The Kangaroos need to win and win big to cover any other potential hiccups they might face. For Samoa, they need to win by more than 10 and hope NZ win by the same margin.
As well as Samoa have played, we find it hard to see them upsetting the Kangaroos on home soil. The Aussies to win, but not by as much as everyone thinks. Samoa has nothing to lose and can literally throw a kitchen sink at their opponents if they want. They may not be allowed to return to the field, but certainly would have made a dent. Aussie to win, but subsequently miss out on the Four Nations final. How about that for a tip?!
Most likely to be forced to diet
Josh Papalii clearly didn’t take Canberra’s early exit too well this season. Binge eating himself into a fatter version of his former self has seen him promoted to the fat boys club in the front row this weekend. While he will be given a few weeks off at the end of the Four Nations, you can be sure Rick will be ready and waiting with a bowl full of lettuce and water once he does return.
Most likely to run a muck
BJ Leilua made Shaun Kenny-Dowell look like a small child playing park football last weekend. Leilua had an outstanding game and was a handful every time he touched the ball. Luckily for Dylan Walker he is playing on the opposite side of the field. Unluckily for Michael Jennings, as he is the one who draws the short straw and has to mark this hulk of a man. Good luck is all we can say!