By STEVE MASCORD
SAMOA are better this World Cup than when they made Pacific sports history by qualifying for the World Cup final for years ago
That’s the opinion of France coach Laurent Frayssinous, whose side was dismantled on Friday night by Toa Samoa 78-4 – Les Chanticleers biggest loss since Mal Meninga’s last game, a 74-0 win for the Kangaroos in Beziers in 1994.
“Last time we played them (Samoa) at the World Cup, I think they’ve got a better team,” said Frayssinous.
“Four years later with more experience, better players. They didn’t have Fidow, the Hammer (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow), they didn’t have a few great players.”
Dolphins superstar Tabuai-Fidow suffered an ankle and syndesmosis injury in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup, a 60-6 defeat to England at St James’ Park in Newcastle. But Toa Samoa rallied during the tournament, eliminating England in the semis and engaging the island nation’s global diaspora by qualifying for the Old Trafford final against Australia, which they lost 30-10.
In that tournament, Samoa beat Frayssinous’ men 62-4 at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. With the likes of Payne Haas and Terrell May missing this time, there were concerns Ben Gardiner’s side would regress – but Friday’s result and Frayssinous’ comments indicate otherwise.
Frayssinous was adamant that did not mean the game in France had gone backwards.
“I have a question for you: do you think the NRL is far better now than four years ago?” he said.
“You’ve got the answer.
“What I mean is the NRL keep growing and keep getting better each year.
“Watching NRL every year, it’s at the top, at the top, at the top, step up, step up, step up.
“Does that mean Super League doesn’t? No. Super League is better every year but maybe not as fast as the NRL.
“That’s different. The smartness, the skill the guys have got and the pressure and the fatigue week-in, week out – that’s something we need to improve in Super League.
“But a game and a performance doesn’t reflect the level of the NRL and Super League. It’s just us. We’ll take our medicine and we’ll be better next weekend.”
The French travel to Perth this weekend to meet England, while Samoa move onto Papua New Guinea where they can expect a hot reception from the Kumuls.
