What Happened to Toa Samoa?

Toa Samoa, the national rugby league team of Samoa, has experienced a significant ascent in international rugby league, captivating fans worldwide with their passionate performances and a growing roster of elite players. Their journey to global recognition culminated in a historic run to the 2022 Rugby League World Cup final in England. Despite a heavy opening loss to the host nation, Samoa rebounded with commanding victories over Greece and France before stunning highly-ranked England in the semi-final with a golden-point drop goal, becoming the first nation outside Australia, New Zealand, or Great Britain/England to reach the final since 1968. They ultimately fell to Australia 30-10 in the final at Old Trafford, but their performance ignited immense pride among Samoans globally, with widespread celebrations and a surge in national identity tied to the team's success.

Following their World Cup heroics, a period of transition saw long-serving coach Matt Parish step down in August 2023. Ben Gardiner, an assistant coach for the Penrith Panthers, was appointed as the new head coach in September 2023, tasked with building on the team's newfound momentum. Under Gardiner, Toa Samoa participated in the 2023 Pacific Championships, facing tough competition and experiencing losses to Australia (38-12) and New Zealand (50-0). The team, however, continued to integrate new talent, with nine debutants featuring against Australia in the 2023 Pacific Championships opener.

In 2025, Toa Samoa returned to the Pacific Championships after missing the 2024 edition, where they again demonstrated their prowess by reaching the final. They secured a notable victory over arch-rivals Tonga in the pool stage before ultimately losing to New Zealand in the final, despite holding a half-time lead. These consistent strong performances led to a significant improvement in their global standing. By November 2025, Toa Samoa had climbed to 4th place in the IRL World Rankings, surpassing Tonga and solidifying their position among the top rugby league nations.

As of October 2026, Toa Samoa is a central figure in the ongoing 2026 Rugby League World Cup, a landmark year marking Rugby League Samoa's 40th anniversary. The squad, co-captained by Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo, was announced on October 6, 2026, featuring a blend of experienced internationals and emerging NRL talent. They opened their World Cup campaign on October 16, 2026, with a dominant 78-4 victory over France at CommBank Stadium, a record-breaking performance that included four tries from Sua Fa'alogo. Today, October 24, 2026, Toa Samoa is scheduled to play their second pool match against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. The team's presence, particularly players like Jarome Luai and Brian To'o, has been met with enthusiastic welcomes, highlighting their inspirational role and even future ties to the region, with some players set to join the PNG Chiefs from 2028. Their next major fixture after today's match will be against Tonga on November 1, 2026, a clash anticipated to be crucial for progression in the tournament.