Australia kicked off their Pacific Championship campaign in grand style with a resounding 38-12 win over Samoa in front of over 18,000 fans in Townsville.
Coach Mal Meninga blooded four debutants for the clash and it paid dividends with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Kotoni Staggs crossing over for tries whilst Dylan Edwards and Selwyn Cobbo were strong in defence on the wing.
Injuries to Jarome Luai and Joseph Suaalii meant Samoa put out an under strength team but unearthed a talent in Sualauvi Faalogo who lit up the stage on international debut.
The Kangaroos were dominant from the outset as they leapt to an early 22-0 lead after 16 minutes. In the battle of the forwards, the Australians were on top early with three of the first four tries coming from Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cameron Murray.
There were fears the score could blowout for Samoa but in one of their rare appearances in opposition territory, Luciano Leilua put in a clever grubber kick to set up North Queensland Cowboys teammate Murray Taulagi who finished truly.
After a frantic start, the two sides began to settle and Samoa would’ve been happy with a 22-6 scoreline after Australia’s strong start. However, Tabuai-Fidow somehow collected the ball from a short dropout and ran 80 metres down the field to put Australia up by 22 points on the shadow of half-time.
Tabuai-Fidow crossed over for his second try of the night shortly after the main break and despite the scoreline, Samoa refused to throw in the towel and toiled hard until the final whistle.
Leilua scored Samoa’s second try in the 73rd minute after a beautiful build up from Faalogo and Taulagi. A try from Staggs in the dying moments blew the lead out to 26 points and extended Australia’s winning streak against Samoa to seven matches.
Haas claimed Player of the Match honours after running for 172 metres, 21 tackles without a single miss and the opening try of the contest.
Australia has two weeks off before they travel to Melbourne to take on New Zealand in their second match of the Pacific Championship.
Samoa will face the Kiwis on October 21 at Eden Park in their next match.