Sons of Samoa on never-ending ride to Pacific power
Scott Bailey |
Stephen Crichton calls them the sons of Samoa, and when it comes to family and country, commitment to both the national jersey and each other is a year-long thing.
Samoa’s players can complete one of the country’s greatest sporting feats with victory over New Zealand in the Pacific Cup final on Sunday.
But days out from the decider, it is the presence of two members for every day of Samoa’s week-long camp that sums up the side’s rise to a Pacific powerhouse.
Out of the tournament through injury, Crichton and fellow NSW State of Origin star Spencer Leniu have been present for all of Samoa’s preparations this week.
“I just wanted to get back behind the boys,” Crichton told AAP.Β
“What they are doing is really special. I can’t be out there but just being in camp and soaking it up again makes you pretty keen for next year.”
Crichton and Leniu’s arrivals follow Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s visits in Brisbane, who used a fan day to pledge his allegiance to Samoa for next year’s World Cup.
His return from the Kangaroos comes after Payne Haas made the switch this year, with seven State of Origin players now in their squad.
“It’s just good to see those big names come back to where they belong,” Crichton said.
“Payne is a big one for us, and I feel like the more it happens the more they come back home.
“It’s the kids of Samoa, the sons of Samoa. And this is where they belong.
“Regardless of where they have been before, this is where they belong and it is always open for them.”
Crichton and Leniu’s presence does more than just represent Samoa’s star power. It also shows that the team’s program is built in the same model as an NRL squad.
Where once some country’s international camps would begin with players buying their own training gear and end after the final game, Samoa is forever rolling.
The squad remains consistent from year to year, as do the key football staff.Β
A player of the week is announced after every NRL round, while players are told to seek each other whenever they meet and speak.
There is constant banter in a WhatsApp group chat, while football staff regularly stay in contact with players while making a point not to talk on-field matters.
“It’s not success that has made it better, it’s the connection that makes the success,” coach Ben Gardiner said.
“The players are connected, the staff are connected, we’re all connected together. It makes it a big happy family when you roll in.
“We talk about winning as a by-product of connection and community. We try and build that in camp, out of camp, with the actual Samoan community.
“That gives us that connection and keeps us going through the year.”
It’s also part of the reason Gardiner has always told players he wants them in for the long haul since he took over in 2023, building towards the 2026 World Cup and going one better than their historic ride to the final in 2022.
“That’s a massive event for us, building towards that,” co-captain Jarome Luai said.
“BG has been building to it since day one.
“But for us as players right now, we want to win now.”
AAP
