Taupau's Samoa switch could start a trend: Parish

Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish has hinted more players could follow Marty Taupau and Jamayne Isaako in switching allegiances after the side snapped three years of dire results to beat Papua New Guinea 24-6 on Saturday night.

Parish praised the efforts of Taupau in his first game back in Samoan colours in six years after the Sea Eagles prop made the No.13 jersey his own with 157 metres, eight tackle busts and two offloads.

Parish offered a smirk when asked of Taupau's performance before indicating he wasn't the last player in talks to switch countries.

Broncos winger Jamayne Isaako also made his Samoan debut in the win over PNG after playing in two Tests for the Kiwis last year.

"I think the momentum might have already started. I think you could find another player or two might come," Parish said.

"Marty Taupau's been outstanding all week. He's going to make a very big difference to this team over the next few years … very big.

"It's good now because there are guys wanting to play and the strength of the team are blokes that aren't there.

"Guys like Joey Leilua, Tim Lafai have been the mainstays but they're injured. I'm sure if they were available they'd be there with bells on."

One possible target for Samoa to convince making a switch is Kiwis fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has strong heritage with the tier two nation.

"Who wouldn't we want him? But obviously he's committed to the Kiwis at the moment," Parish responded.

"We've got plenty of good players to choose from and the good thing now is the players, and they've always wanted to play, but they've been held back a bit and I understand that with NRL clubs it's a tough situation.

"You want your players to rest but there's a rep round. I've been on that side of it.

"I can understand their point of view too. We're in a similar situation to Tonga where we need games. If we get games we can pay our players what they should be paid."

The Kumuls offered plenty of fight and character against the Samoan outfit but their defence held firm to only concede on try through a dummy half run close to the line.

Samoa's win was their first since August, 2016, after they dropped the last six and drew against Scotland at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

"It's overdue, it's good, I was very proud of it," Parish said.

"We created plenty of opportunities but unfortunately couldn't turn them into points.

"The opposition stepped up and they were very tenacious. To win any Test match at 24-6 we should be proud and I thought our defence was outstanding."