Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE’LL FIGHT TOOV & NAIL TO BEAT ROO
Aussie legend Geoff: Samoa are underdogs again – and are ready to overcome huge odds in the final
KANGAROOS legend Geoff Toovey has warned Australia they need to be “careful” as his Samoa colleagues plot the biggest ever World Cup upset.
The ex-manly scrum-half played for the Green and Golds 12 times, including in the 1995 World Cup final win over England at Wembley.
But on Saturday he’ll be in the Samoa camp for the Old Trafford decider as they seek to end 11-time champions Australia’s domination.
Toovey, 53, (below) is part of the Pacific island’s coaching staff working towards masterminding a gameplan to down the huge, red-hot favourites.
Asked what it will be like going up against his fellow countrymen, he said: “I don’t care. I’m a competitor, I’m here to win for Samoa.
“If we put on a good performance, we’re in with a chance. We just need to try and get blokes bandaged up, fit and firing ready to go. It was a great performance against England in the semi, particularly after we got roughed up by them in the first round.
“But the boys have improved every game and hopefully we can go one better again.
“It’s going to be tough. We’re well and truly the underdogs. But we were underdogs last Saturday. Australia have to be careful.”
Slick Samoa have won every game since being embarrassed 60-6 by England in the tournament opener.
And their side is littered with NRL talent, such as Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Junior Paulo and Joseph Suaalii, so the massively one-sided odds are disrespectful in a two-horse race. It shows the perceived aura Australia have under Toovey’s former Kangaroos team-mate Mal Meninga.
Tough Toovey, renowned for punching above his weight in his playing days, can’t wait to see dazzling Penrith stand-off Jarome Luai take on the champions.
He said: “He’s playing fantastic – two man of the matches in this tournament. He’s a quality player surrounded by some quality people.”
Samoa were left counting the cost of their epic 27-26 golden point semi-final win over England with numerous injury doubts.
Still, Toovey will be able to give insight into what it’s like to win a World Cup after beating an England side featuring Jason Robinson, Andy Farrell and Martin Offiah 27 years ago.
The ex-bradford coach recalled: “We played particularly well. It’s always about taking opportunities when they present themselves and this is what’s happened with Samoa.
“We have to take our opportunity with both hands.”
England face France at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on April 29 (4.30pm) in a double-header with England Women tackling France earlier.