NRL stars fired up for Pacific Test clash

REPRESENTATIVE r u g b y league may be under pressure from NRL clubs, but there is no place Cowboys winger Antonio Winterstein would rather be than with his Samoan “brothers”.

NRL coaches are increasingly at loggerheads with representative scheduling, and just this week Cowboys coach Paul Green pulled his players out of City- Country selection, joining a growing list of NRL clubs choosing to keep their stars at home.

The microscope could soon fall on so- called minnow nations like Samoa, with clubs eager to ease the workload on their players.

Winterstein, for one, says representative clashes like this weekend’s Pacific Tests are now part of the fabric of rugby league.

“As a nation we deserve it,” Winterstein said. “At the last World Cup we shocked a lot of people at how far we progressed, and this year’s World Cup will be no different.

“I think we’ll be really keen this weekend to show the world what we’re made of.”

The Samoans started the week with the usual training sessions but have also included cultural activities and bonding sessions, as have all Pacific nations playing in Saturday’s Test matches.

“It’s hard to explain when you’re in a camp like this, it feels like you’re with family,” Winterstein said.

“It’s always good to get back and reunite with the brothers.

“You get an extra bit of fire in the belly and the squad we have is second to none.”

Winterstein has played 11 games for Samoa and has been joined in camp by Cowboys teammate John Asiata ahead of Saturday’s Test against England at Campbelltown Stadium. The pair are part of a formidable Samoa squad featuring Anthony Milford, Tim Lafai and Joseph Leilua.

“Every time we’ve played England it’s been a tight game,” Winterstein said. “They’re one of the big teams in international rugby league.”

Winterstein also welcomes the Pacific Test and its lead- up week as a welcome change up from NRL duties.

“It’s a bit more relaxed and that’s the way we are, but when we switch on we go to work,” he said.