This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or click on a date below

Sunday 8
Monday 9
Tuesday 10
Wednesday 11
Thursday 12
Friday 13
Saturday 14
Sunday 15
Monday 16
Tuesday 17
Wednesday 18

Australia vs Samoa Tips & Preview - Kangaroos to dominate Samoa in Pacific Cup

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: 12 Oct 2023

Listen

Jeremy Darke 12 Oct 2023

Share this article

Australia vs Samoa predictions for Saturday’s NRL game
Australia have never lost to Samoa
How big will the margin be for the Australians?

Expired

James Tedesco will lead an all-new Aussie backline. (Getty Images)

Australia vs Samoa Preview
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Team News
Australia Team List
Samoa Form
Samoa Team News
Samoa Team List

Australia vs Samoa Preview

There are high hopes that the Pacific Championship will breathe new life into the international rugby league scene and there is no better way to kick it off than with a rematch of last year’s World Cup Final between Australia and Samoa.

The Kangaroos will be high on confidence after winning the 2022 World Cup against Samoa last year and also boast an undefeated record against their new rivals.

Although the Australians have four new faces in their backline the core of their group is the same and that is why I will be backing them to take a comfortable victory and cover the 22.5-point line on offer.

The Australians are going to have a stack of ball so I am also getting on the Kangaroos to score over 32.5 points in the match, going up against the unfamiliar defensive combinations all over the park for Soma.

Selwyn Cobbo Anytime Tryscorer is the closest bet to a sure thing you will get in this game, so I am going to throw him in a same game multi with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans and get some good tryscoring value and also add in Australian 13+ winning margin.

Australia are 4 from 4 against Samoa.
Australia have beaten Samoa by 20 points or more in all 4 matches.
Australia has scored an average of 40 points per game in the last 3 games against Samoa since 2017.
Daly Cherry-Evans scored 2 tries in his last 2 games in the NRL season.

Head to Head

Australia and Samoa have faced each other four times with the Kangaroos winning all four matches.

They last met in the World Cup Final in 2022 with Australia running away with victory 30-10.

Australia Form

Australia come into the Pacific Cup Championships after winning the World Cup against Samoa in the offseason last year.

After leading 14-0 at halftime, the Kangaroos got a hop-a-long and put the game out of reach for the Samoans, winning 30-10 in the end.

Although the backline of the Australians features four new faces the forward back and bench were all a part of the World Cup-winning squad and are very familiar with Mal Meninga's coaching and the rest of the team.

Australia Team News

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Katoni Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo and Dylan Edwards will all make their debut for the Australian team in a new-look backline that will be led by captain James Tedesco at the back.

Nathan Cleary carried an injury through the Grand Final which opened the door for the familiar QLD partnership of Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans.

Australia Team List

1. James Tedesco (c)

2. Dylan Edwards

3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

4. Kotoni Staggs

5. Selwyn Cobbo

6. Cameron Munster

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

8. Payne Haas

9. Ben Hunt

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Cameron Murray

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange

14. Harry Grant

15. Lindsay Collins

16. Pat Carrigan

17. Reuben Cotter

Reserves

18. Nicho Hynes

19. Jake Trbojevic

20. Tom Flegler

21. Valentine Holmes

Samoa Form

Samoa were the surprise packets of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, beating the home team England in the semifinals booking a spot in the Final against Australia.

Unfortunately, their fine run stopped there, going down to the Aussies convincingly, 30-10.

Samoa Team News

Samoa will field nine debutants when they take on Australia on Saturday, with Sua Faalogo, Murray Taulagi, Daejarn Asi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Connelly Lemuelu, Terrell May, Heilum Luki and Ronald Volkman all making their first start for Samoa.

Also, the biggest news out of the squad is that Panthers centre Stephen Crichton will play at five-eight for the first time in his professional rugby league career.

Samoa Team List

1. Sua Faalago

2. Murray Taulagi

3. Izack Tago

4. Young Tonumaipea

5. Brian To'o

6. Stephen Crichton

7. Daejarn Asi

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

10. Junior Paulo

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Connelly Lemuelu

13. Keenan Palasia

Interchange

14. Spencer Leniu

15. Terrell May

16. Heilum Luki

17. Ronald Volkman

Reserves

18. Royce Hunt

19. Justin Matamua

20. Greg Marzhew

21. Tommy Talau

Verdict

Australia v Samoa

The Aussies will run away with this game, finding holes all over the Samoan defence.

They will cover the 22.5 point line and score more than 32.5 points themselves.

Selwyn Cobbo is a lock for a try, so get on Daly Cherry-Evans as well and throw in the Australia 13+ result into your same game multi.

Australia -22.5

Handicap Line

@13/14 - 2 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365

Australia Over 32.5

Team Total

@8/9 - 3 Units

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets

Same Game Multi

Selwyn Cobbo ATS, Daly Cherry-Evans ATS, Australia 13+

@11/2 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Bet at bet365

Selwyn Cobbo

First Tryscorer

@9/2 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS