Daily Mirror

ROOS WARY OF HUGE UNDERDOGS

- BY DAVE CRAVEN

AUSTRALIA boss Mal Meninga claims Samoa are not “massive” underdogs despite their opponents being 9/1 to win tomorrow’s World Cup final.

The Kangaroos have been world champions ever since 1975, aside from a brief five-year spell when New Zealand stunned them in 2008. It would be an even bigger surprise if Matt Parish’s Samoa, in their maiden World Cup final, overturned rugby league’s giants at Old Trafford.

But having seen them knock out England in the semi-finals, Meninga (left) said: “I wouldn’t say they’re massive underdogs. They have played really good rugby league. As Matt has mentioned numerous times, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. They played really well against the English and deserve to be here.

“We’re not underestim­ating them. We’ve got full respect for this Samoan side.” Parish said: “Jarome Luai’s has had an amazing tournament and the skipper Junior Paulo has been inspiratio­nal but so have a number of players in our squad. They’ve grown so much together.”

☐ HUDDERSFIE­LD’S Michael Lawrence, 32, has ended a 16-year stint at his hometown club by joining Bradford.

 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom