England will be looking for revenge following their 21-20 loss to this weekend’s visitors in the 2022 World Cup Semi Finals on home soil.
Toa Samoa will embark on a trip to England for the second time in as many years, looking to replicate their success against the hosts from the 2022 World Cup tournament.
In the group stage, England convincingly beat the visitors 60-6 in a statement performance by Shaun Wane’s side.
The story was totally different in the semi-final. Samoa avenged their loss, winning 21-20 in a tight affair booking their place in the World Cup finals.
England coach Shaun Wane thinks his side are a different prospect this time around, though.
He said: “Our bond and our togetherness has improved, and you can tell when the lads get together there is immediate spirit.
“They have really really fantastic players in a great competition the NRL, but I think we’ve got better and I think this two match series will be an improvement on last year.”
It took golden point to separate the two sides in that World Cup semi-final, and it was Samoa’s Stephen Crichton who claimed victory for his side with the point to break the deadlock.
But Samoa were beaten 30-10 by Australia in the final.
There have been five meetings between Sunday’s rivals, with England coming out victors on four of the occasions.
Both coaches have picked strong sides ahead of the fixtures, but Shaun Wane believes his 23 man squad have what it takes to claim victory on the international stage.
The hosts’ squad includes some familiar faces on Merseyside, with nine players playing for either Warrington Wolves or St Helens.
Matty Ashton, John Bateman, Ben Currie, Danny Walker and George Williams make up the Warrington Wolves players in the squad.
The Saints will have Daryl Clark, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees and Jack Welsby will apply their trade on the international stage.
Wane’s side will look to carry on their form following their 3-0 whitewash of Tonga last year.
Like Samoa, Tonga ventured to England for a three game test series this time last year.
England took victory in all three matches, winning 22-18, 14-4 and 26-4 in a disappointing tour for the Tongans.
England’s game at Wigan will be the first since their World Cup victory over Papua New Guinea, a return Wane is very much looking forward to.
He said: “Beating Tonga 3-0 last year was fantastic and it’s great that we’re going back to Headingley where we completed that series. And personally, I’m very pleased that we’re playing the first game at Wigan. We’ve got great memories of our World Cup Quarter Final against Papua New Guinea, so let’s hope we can fill the ground again.”
Leeds will be the venue for the second and final test match between the two sides.
The hosts will hope to replicate their previous test outings with victory and avenge the disappointment of their World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of their next opponents.
🗣 | “Get behind us, get to the stadium and make it a fantastic atmosphere!”
Shaun Wane calls on the supporters to play their part ahead of England’s two-match Test series against Samoa. #EnglandRL | @EnglandRL
— Betfred (@Betfred) October 24, 2024
