England stars out to avenge World Cup pain against Samoa-stacked Panthers

St Helens contingent of England World Cup representatives are hoping to make amends for their semi-final exit against a Samoa-stacked Panthers side in Saturday’s World Club Challenge.

Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees and Joe Batchelor were all involved in England’s heart-breaking World Cup campaign, which was ended by a Stephen Crichton extra time field goal at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Crichton and Panthers team-mates Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Spencer Leniu, Taylan May and Izack Tago were members of the Samoa squad which created history by reaching the World Cup final, losing 30-10 to Australia at Old Trafford.

“It will be good to get to go against them again,” Knowles said. “We played them twice in the World Cup and I am sure it will be a different experience playing against them with the Panthers.

It was probably one of those games that you don’t ever get over.

“It is always going to be a disappointing moment looking back at an opportunity missed but I think having the World Club Challenge at the beginning of the season is an opportunity to re-focus and we are looking forward to this game.”

The Panthers not only boast the six Samoa stars in their line-up for Saturday night’s World Club Challenge at BlueBet Stadium but will be led by Kangaroos playmaker Nathan Cleary and lock Isaah Yeo.

Australian second-rower Liam Martin will miss the WCC due to a shoulder injury sustained at Penrith training earlier this month, while Batchelor is out for Saints after suffering an ankle injury in last weekend's 30-18 defeat of the Dragons.

 “We know that Penrith are a special team,” Welsby said. “They have gone back-to-back in the NRL and obviously we know how good all their players are like Luai, To’o, Crichton and Cleary, who for me is probably the best player in the world.

“It is something I am looking forward to, coming up against the best is something we want to do and if we can come away with the win it proves that we are pretty strong.”

St Helens have won four consecutive Super League premierships but because of COVID travel restrictions have not been afforded a chance to play in the World Club Challenge since their 2020 loss to Sydney Roosters.

In addition to the five World Cup representatives, Saints prop Alex Walmsley, halves Lewis Dodd and Jonny Lomax and centre Mark Percival were ruled out of the England squad due to injury.

After thrashing Samoa 60-6 in the opening match of the World Cup at Newcastle’s St James Park, England had been expected to comfortably qualify for the World Cup final on home soil but were left stunned after the 27-26 loss in London.

“It is probably more than 1-1 against them,” Makinson said. “They went on to play in the World Cup final so they definitely got it over us there.

“It was a tough defeat to take. We produced a great performance against Samoa in the opening game and really gave it to them, but then they just came back like they world class outfit that they are and we let it slip.

“I felt like we had good moments in that game where we probably should have won and we had a great side so it hurt.”

The 2018 IRL Golden Boot winner as international player of the year said the Saints players were  looking forward to proving themselves against a Penrith team who will go into the match as heavy favourites.

“I obviously played in the World Cup against a few of their boys for Samoa and they are fantastic,” Makinson said.

“Cleary bosses them around and he is probably the best half on the planet, Luai is brilliant and they have got danger all over the park with the likes of Crichton and To’o.

"But we have got some good players as well and we are looking forward to some good match ups.

Penrith are a double champion side in the best competition in the world.

"The NRL is the pinnacle so for us to come over here and beat Penrith would mean everything to us. As a player you want to play in the biggest games and for me this is the biggest game.

“We know how good a side we are, as well, and I think sometimes we get a bit undervalued.

"In our competition in England, we have won four in a row, which has never been done before, but we know this is a step above and will be the biggest game we have ever played as a club.

“They are the best team on the planet, and we have got to come up against them and beat them.”