Samoa soar into League Cup final

LONDON, AFP: Samoa’s historic march to the final of the Rugby League World Cup final has solid foundations in a star-studded squad of hardened NRL and State of Origin regulars who have opted to play for their country of heritage rather than representing the likes of Australia and New Zealand.

The Pacific Island team notched up a dramatic 27-26 victory over tournament hosts England in Saturday’s second semi-final thanks to Stephen Crichton’s golden-point field goal in extra time at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

That set them up with a final next weekend against reigning champions Australia in Manchester.

Remarkably the Samoans become just the fifth team to reach a Cup final (after Australia, England/Great Britain, New Zealand and France) and are the first new country to make it since 1988.

It’s a far cry from the 2017 World Cup when Samoa didn’t win a game and were thumped 46-0 by Australia.