LONDON (Reuters) – Samoa assistant coach Daniel Holdsworth insists his team will be a far tougher proposition for England when the sides clash in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final on Saturday.
England blazed to a 60-6 victory over Samoa in the tournament’s opening game although Samoa recovered to finish second behind the hosts in the group.
While England remain favourites to reach the final, a far closer scoreline is being predicted for Saturday’s clash at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
“Yeah, we’ve learnt from that obviously, it was a bit of a clunky preparation for us with guys coming in at different times, but no excuse,” Holdsworth told Reuters on Friday.
“We all sort of own that result, a bit of accountability for everyone across the board, including coaches and players. So, we’ve grown throughout the campaign.
“We feel like we’re a better team now, we know England are going to be better too, so we’re prepared to get out there and give our best.”
Samoa beat Tonga 20-18 in the quarter-finals while England easily dispatched Papua New Guinea 46-6.
“They’ve been outstanding the whole time,” Holdsworth said of England. “They have aspirations to definitely win this World Cup and get to the final. Would be huge for their country.
“So I’m assuming they’re looking forward to that. But again, we’re obviously here to win as well.”
Second-row forward Jaydn Su’a said his side were blown away in the opening game and would have to be prepared for England to come flying out of the blocks on Saturday.
“This weekend they’re going to come out strong, they always start fast so you’ve got to match intensity otherwise you know, they’ve blown us out of the park fast,” he said.
“I’m sure we’ll be ready for it. So, you know, it’s time to put Samoa to the top where it belongs.”
England’s Victor Radley identified his Sydney Roosters team mate Joseph Suaalii as a real threat.
The 19-year-old full-back has been one of the players of the tournament and Radley said he is a “freak”.
“He has been good for them in this tournament, he has been their best player and he is going to run hard,” Radley said.
“We know what is coming and we are going to get in front of him and hit him hard. But he is a really good player, very tough and skilful.”
Radley is also expecting a formidable challenge from Samoa.
“I watched their game with Tonga and they went hard against each other. It is going to take 17 hard Englishman to stop them and that is what we have got,” he said.
(Writing by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)
