Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has praised the impact “home-grown” sensation Sua Fa’alogo has had on his team this IRL Rugby League World Cup campaign, highlighting his energy and sense of fun.
After coming from the bench to replace the injured Deine Mariner in their opening round stunner against France – crossing for four tries in the 76-4 win – the Storm fullback has been lighting up the competition with a strike rate of six tries in his two games.
Sualauvi Fa'alogo 4th Try
“He brings huge energy and brings a lot of fun and a lot of enjoyment in what he does, he adds that to the team,” Gardiner said.
“He has been able to bring a lot of fun to what we do in our training sessions and around our camp.
“Obviously being born in Samoa, it is pretty cool to have a player in camp that was born in Samoa and can bring experience around the traditions, culture and heritage.
Ben Gardiner: 'We've got young Samoan men, they're superstars now'
“He brings that in spades and with a lot of excitement.
“I've been really impressed (with him on the wing).
“We knew he could do it and we had great belief and confidence in the fact that he could.
“Ryan Hinchcliffe on our coaching staff works down at the Storm and has worked with him previously when he has played on the wing at the Storm, he has played left wing at the Storm in previous years.
“We were happy that he was going to be able to get the movement right. We are happy that he can bring the ball back from the back-field like no-one else in the game.
“The players talk about his footwork when he brings the ball back and how hard it is to handle and he is just playing his natural game and loving what he does.
“We are loving what he is doing with it.”
Fa’alogo will have to be at his best when Samoa take on rivals Tonga in one of the most anticipated games in World Cup history.
Sold out for weeks, the upcoming contest has captured the imagination worldwide, with fans across Samoa, Tonga, Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, United States and beyond getting on board.
For Gardiner, the important thing for his players was to embrace the occasion and the excitement, but channel it appropriately on the field.
“We are proud nations; Samoa – I can only talk from our point of view – we are a small nation and a proud nation in the Pacific,” Gardiner said.
“There are lots of people around the world that support us and it is a great opportunity for them to support us on the biggest stage.
“They are very passionate people both Tongan and Samoan supporters.
“They are heavily behind their team no matter what.
Tonga v Samoa - Round 2, 2017
“As a Samoan team, we know we have the support of our communities around the world whether it is in Samoa, America, Australia or New Zealand.
“You will see lots of flags on the street and on cars not just here but all over the world.
“(Advice to the players is to) be mindful of where their feet are and be in the moment at the moment.
“There is no use playing the game too early.
“The game starts when the whistle blows. It doesn't start before, so take the emotion leading into it and enjoy the opportunity to sing the national anthem in front of a big crowd and engage in the Siva Tau and get the fanfare around that.
“The footy game starts when the whistle starts so don't play the game prior.”
Match: Tonga v Samoa
Round 3 -
home Team
Tonga
3rd Position
away Team
Samoa
1st Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
- Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup live on Seven and 7plus Sport in Australia and on Sky Sport in New Zealand.
