Samoa thrash France 78-4 as coach points to NRL gap
Samoa opened their Men's Rugby League World Cup with a 78-4 demolition of France in Parramatta on Friday 16 October.
The Round 1 Pool B-C tie produced 14 Samoan tries. It was described as a record-breaking win in NRL coverage of the opener NRL.
Samoa were ruthless from the start. They scored five times in the opening 20 minutes and never eased off.
Deine Mariner opened the scoring, then left the field with a hamstring strain that will require a scan. His replacement, Sua Fa'alogo, stole the show with four tries off the bench.
France's only reply came in the first half through Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet. Samoa added 11 conversions from 14 attempts, the kicks taken after tries for two extra points NRL.
It was a bruising night for France. Winger Leo Darrelatour sustained a head injury, while stand-off Cesar Rouge — the side's chief playmaker — also left the field for a head injury assessment but was cleared to return.
The scoreline stung. Four years ago Samoa beat France 62-4 in Warrington at the last World Cup. This was heavier still.
France head coach Laurent Frayssinous pointed to the club game. He said the growing gap between the NRL, Australia's elite club competition, and Super League, Europe's top flight, was a major factor, according to BBC Sport coverage BBC Sport.
Asked why the margin was worse than four years ago, he answered bluntly: "Do you think the NRL is far better now than four years ago? Then you have the answer."
Frayssinous said the NRL keeps growing and getting better every year. Super League is improving too, he said, but not as fast.
He wants Super League to match the smartness, skill under pressure and touches he sees week in, week out in the NRL. He added he would definitely welcome the NRL's proposed investment in Super League.
The squads told part of the story. All but one of Samoa's squad are with NRL clubs, under head coach Ben Gardiner. France rely largely on Super League players, with South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Latrell Siegwalt in their ranks.
What makes this stand out is the speed of the damage. Five tries in 20 minutes is about field position and finishing. Samoa kept completing their sets of six tackles, then struck where France tired.
In the women's tournament, Australia started with a 40-0 win over Samoa in their Pool A opener. Samoa women were playing at the World Cup for the first time since 2008.
Australia scored seven tries through Jaime Chapman, Julia Robinson, Shaylee Bent, Keeley Nizza, Olivia Kernick, Keilee Joseph and Jessica Sergis. Jess Skinner is Australia's head coach.
