England 60-6 Samoa Match Report (Saturday 15th October 2022)

 It's here finally! The World Cup got underway this afternoon at Newcastle with England hosting Samoa. It was an electric atmosphere with a brilliant "tournament welcome" as it's being referred, featuring a great pre-show from the Kaiser Chiefs. England also went into the game at St. James' Park as underdogs, for one of the first times in their illustrious history. However, Samoa are definitely a country on the rise!

Team news

For England, Young starts on the wing over the experienced Ryan Hall. Young Player of the Year Jack Welsby starts in the halves alongside the experienced George Williams. NRL talent Farnworth, Burgess, Whitehead and Radley come on to the bench. St. Helens duo Morgan Knowles and Matty Lees feature on the bench.

Starting Lineup

1. Sam Tomkins, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 14. Dom Young, 6. Jack Welsby, 7. George Williams, 8. Tom Burgess, 9. Micky McIlorum, 18. Chris Hill, 11. Elliott Whitehead, 20. Mike McMeeken, 13. Victor Radley

Interchanges

10. Luke Thompson, 15. Morgan Knowles, 16. Matty Lees, 17. Mike Cooper

For Tonga, there is a wealth of NRL and Super League talent. Multiple NRL champions feature including the playmaker Jarome Luai. Super League hooker Danny Levi will play from the start. Papali'i starts and will be dangerous, Paulo and Su'a join him in a sizeable pack. Tago and To'o are ones to watch in the backline. Taupau brings size and power to the interchange bench.

Starting Lineup

1. Joseph Suaalii, 18. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To'o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Anthony Milford, 8. Josh Papali'i, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Junior Paulo, 12. Jaydn Su'a, 13. Josh Aloiai, 24. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Interchanges

14. Tyrone May, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Martin Taupau, 22. Kelma Tuilagi

The match

England got the first good opportunity of the game, and made it count. George Williams sticks a teasing kick through, which Herbie Farnworth charges after but can't ground the ball. However, Whitehead is obstructed by Anthony Milford while chasing the kick. England got the penalty, and Makinson converted it. England lead by 2 points to nil after 6 minutes. An incredible set from the home side saw Tom Burgess reach out and nearly touch down, but the try was ruled out because there was no downward pressure. England on top early on. Samoa use their captain's challenge in protest to a Luai knock on close to the England line, but it is unsuccessful and England get the ball back, followed by a penalty from the resulting scrum. It was an intriguing and competitive first 20 minutes.

The first try of the World Cup comes from Jack Welsby! Tomkins and Williams combine. Welsby is there with great support play to take the pass, break away and score. Some great play from England's spine! Makinson converted to make it 8-0 after 24 minutes. The following set and Young breaks away to score after a sensational pass from who else but Jack Welsby! Young beats the Samoan winger and Suaalii to score near the uprights. Makinson converted again to make it 14-0 after 27 minutes. Young goes in the next set too. Welsby throws yet another sensational cutout pass to Young who finishes brilliantly in the corner. Makinson dragged the conversion wide, so it was 18-0 after 32 minutes. Shortly after, Suaalii breaks superbly but loses control of the ball, and another opportunity for Samoa goes begging. However, the next set, Izack Tago intercepts Welsby's attempted cutout pass and runs the length to score. Crichton converted and it's 18-6 after 36 minutes. Makinson breaks and probably would've scored but it is pulled back for a forward pass just 2 minutes later. Crichton gets a try ruled out somewhat unluckily just before the hooter by video referee Adam Gee. It was a second 20 minutes full of action and has been a great half to start the competition. Samoa were starting to get back into it at the end of the half however. Half-Time: England 18-6 Samoa

The second half started in an unfortunate way. Samoa's number 14 Tyrone May picked up a serious hip injury and unfortunately had to be stretchered off. I wish him all the best in his recovery! England had a good chance after a Suaalii knock on, but Farnworth is tackled just short of the line on the last tackle. However, the next set England create the numbers on the right hand side and Watkins exposes the space to go into score near the sticks. Makinson converted it to make it 24-6 and extend the lead to 18 points once again. There was a little coming together between Tomkins and a Samoan player after a Dom Young knock on, but there are no punishments dished out. The Samoans knock on again, this time Papali'i, throwing away another good chance to test the England line.

A crucial part of the game came at the start of the final quarter. Anthony Milford is sin binned for a late hit, which is definitely the correct decision, but could have been a red card in Super League rules. Makinson converted the resulting penalty using the post and after 63 minutes it was 26-6 to England. The following set and England are in again. It's a cut out pass which bounced off the grass to Farnworth who exposes the extra space and extra player to score. Makinson converted from out wide to make the score 32-6 after 67 minutes. England and their fans are in dreamland! Tuilagi then goes off for a HIA and England got a penalty for the drop out not going 10 metres. Elliott Whitehead barges and muscles his way over. The video referee Adam Gee awarded the try and Makinson converted to make the score 38-6 after 70 minutes. Makinson then broke again on the next set, got away from the tackle of Crichton and then he passes it inside. It could have gone to any of 5 players on the inside, but it's Elliott Whitehead who takes it in to score his second try of the afternoon and back to back tries for England. Makinson converted the try again to make it 44-6 (yes, you read that right) after 73 minutes. Samoan then put the resulting kick off out on the full. Williams dabs a kick in to Makinson who touches one down himself after the video referee Adam Gee confirms Ashley Klein's on field decision of "try" was correct. Makinson converted his own try from the touchline and England hit the half century! Then George Williams went in for one of his own! Makinson missed the conversion this time however, making the score 54-6. England then kick a 40/20 providing Tom Burgess with the platform to barge his way over and score the final try of the game. Makinson got another conversion, and then the final hooter Samoa were begging for finally comes. Full Time; England 60-6 Samoa

Thoughts

Whatever I say now, will have already been said. That was an absolutely faultless performance from England. They have definitely put a marker down in an incredible performance. From 1 to 17, everyone put in a shift and England are absolutely well deserved comfortable winners. Victor "The Inflictor" Radley got man of the match but it could have been anyone. We will see better from Samoa in this tournament that's for sure, but it'll be difficult for England to get much better than that. I am in shock and I'm sure many of you reading are too. Next up is the challenge of France at Bolton next Saturday, with a 5pm kick off. Will it be another demolition job? Will England bring it home? Thanks for reading.

England 60 (18)

T: Welsby, Young (2), Watkins, Farnworth, Whitehead (2), Makinson, Williams, Burgess

C: Makinson (8)

P: Makinson (2)

Samoa 6 (6)

T: Tago

C: Crichton

P:

Man of the Match: Victor Radley (England)

The RL Blogger Man of the Match: Herbie Farnworth (England)