Samoa won't have the chance to repeat their extra time World Cup semi-final heroics in the upcoming two-match series against England, with local authorities shunning golden point.
Jarome Luai’s squad arrived in Heathrow on Saturday 46 minutes late with former international and team liaison Freddie Tuilagi meeting them in traditional dress and with a ghetto blaster on as he performed a traditional song for the weary players and staff.
Coach Ben Gardiner admitted the historic nature of the short tournament posed some intriguing questions, including how the series would be decided in the event of the Tests being split one win each.
Because England and Samoa have never played a series before, there is no existing trophy and no incumbent team to retain any new one in the case of a tie.
“We actually asked that … our general manager and footy manager are looking into that,” Gardiner said.
“We had a few staff ask that question. As a coach I’m just worried about game by game … but I’m sure there are some enthusiasts out there that would like to know how the series is won and what happens.
“There were some questions about what happens if it’s one win each and does it go on a points count-back?
“At the end of the day, how do you win a two Test series? Well, you win both games. We don’t even know what the trophy is.”
When Gardiner’s questions were put to Britain’s Rugby Football League, a spokesman provided a definitive response on most of the questions raised by the Penrith assistant, who was in the UK as part of the New Zealand coaching staff in 2022 and with the Panthers earlier this year.
The spokesman said: “One-one will be a tied series. No golden point to separate the team for the series and likewise a draw is a draw. No golden point.
Crichton puts Samoa in the final!
“A shield similar to the one awarded for the Tonga series will be played for and this year we have the sponsorship of ABK Beer to go into the mix there.”
There is also no golden point in the Pacific Championships which kicked off at the weekend, with player burnout reportedly a contributing facet to that decision.
However, Samoa’s overwhelming legacy in the UK was built after the regulation 80 minutes in the 2022 semi when a Stephen Crichton field goal gave them a 27-26 win over England at London’s Emirates Stadium.
Match Highlights: England v Samoa
Captain Jarome Luai told pan66.com at Heathrow arrivals the journey was “long but we’re grateful for the coach for putting together a pretty good plan for to try and get the body clock right as we land.
“So I’m feeling pretty good.”
Luia said “family and that came to see us off" in Sydney.
"It’s a bit of a ritual for us," he said. "It was nice of the coach and the staff to get that sorted for us and see our families.”
Asked about the mentality of the players for a two Test series, the Wests Tigers recruit said: “Win every game bro. Just win every game.”
Toa Samoa took a long coach ride to their York base after arriving in London and will attend a series launch in Wigan on Tuesday. At the same venue, there will be a British rugby league hall of fame induction later in the evening.
And then on Wednesday, IMG gradings which determine which division clubs are in next year will be announced with a media conference to follow. Later that day, the Samoans will hold an open training session at LNER Stadium in York.
For team manager Tony Puletua, it is his first visit to the UK since he retired at Hull KR in 2015. Also on staff is another Samoan icon, Nigel Vagana.
The series - which starts at Brick Community Stadium in Wigan on Saturday and concludes at Headingley, Leeds the following Saturday - will be controlled by British referees.
