Worldwide smash: Samoa support stretches far and wide

'There’s always something deeper when you’re playing for your people and your heritage'.

With those words, Samoa's Junior Paulo gets to the heart of what is driving his team as they head into Sunday's semi-final against Australia - a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final.

The monster showdown at Allianz Stadium comes seven days after an emotion-charged clash with Tonga at a sold out CommBank Stadium that had the rugby league world in raptures.

“That one sits at the top for me, just given how proud I was to be part of that, but more so how much it meant to our people,” said Paulo of the 20-18 loss to Tonga in front of 29,411 fans.

“Everyone was eager to win, given all that was at stake. With the atmosphere that game generated, you can see how much it means to the people, and it means just as much to the players.

"You want to be able to go out there and make them all proud.”

And the love for Samoa stretches far beyond the streets of Western Sydney.

With the Eels opening next season against the Storm in Las Vegas, Paulo is hoping the Pacific communities in the United States turn out to watch their heroes under the bright lights at Allegiant Stadium.

“I’m sure they can make a trip down from Utah, where they were parading, and there’s plenty of Samoans and Tongans in Las Vegas as well that will want to support rugby league,” he said.

A veteran of three World Cups since making his Samoa debut in 2016, Paulo was eligible for New Zealand and Australia but chose to represent his heritage from the start of his international career.

And the 32-year-old has become a cornerstone of Samoa’s rise into a nation that can now compete with the best.

“To see the love from all parts of the world, that’s the reason why we chose to play for our country," he said.

“It’s not only in the States. We see it on social media, and that platform allows us to see the love and support that we get."

There are growing calls for Samoa and Tonga to become a regular fixture on the post-season calendar, and Paulo is all over it.

“Given the respect between both nations, I’m sure we can find the time where it works for everyone. The fans are calling for it to be a yearly thing now,” he said.