NRL 2025, Pacific Championships 2025, Samoa squad, Jarome Luai

Blend of experience and youth in Toa Samoa squad

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 7 Oct 2025, 11:36 AM

Veteran prop Josh Papalii has returned to the Toa Samoa side on a two-year mission to lead his country to a historic World Cup victory.

Papalii was one of a host of big names listed in the Pacific Championships squad announced on Tuesday, with the forward set to represent the team for the first time since 2022.

Samoa made a historic run to the World Cup final on that occasion, before they fell to Australia at Old Trafford.

Coach Ben Gardiner has set his sights on going one better at next year's World Cup and has worked hard to recruit the top players of Samoan heritage.

The decision of Payne Haas to switch allegiances from Australia to Samoa was a major coup, while Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Terrell May headline one of the strongest sides the country has ever rolled out.

"Josh said to me 'I retired from Origin and I'd retired from playing for Australia but I still want to play for Samoa'," Gardiner said. "Next minute he's playing for Origin and I thought it was brilliant and he still put his hand up straight away to play for Samoa.

"What I have been very clear about is this is a preparation for the World Cup. If you want to play, you're committing for the next two years. He's made that commitment, as have the other players that are on our list today.

"We're building a group of people to get to the main accolade in rugby league, which is to get to the World Cup and win the World Cup final over the next 12 months. Josh has committed to that and so have the rest of our players."

Luai and Parramatta enforcer Junior Paulo will captain the side, with the halfback set to link up with emerging Panthers playmaker Blaize Talagi-Seuala in the halves.

Murray Taulagi, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Izack Tago are set to feature in the outside backs. Jaydn Su'A, Jeremiah Nanai and Ata Mariota will provide physicality and X-factor in the forward pack.

Samoa will open their campaign against New Zealand at Go Media Stadium next Sunday before a blockbuster clash with Tonga on October 26.

The fierce rivals will do battle at Suncorp Stadium in front of an expected crowd of 50,000 with Samoan fans rushing to snap up tickets for the contest.

It's an atmosphere the players and coaches can't wait to be a part of.

"We went to New Zealand two years ago to play New Zealand and I've never seen so many flags and jerseys in the stadium," Gardiner said. "I was lucky enough to come back here and see Australia play Tonga last year and I saw the same vibe.

"I can't wait to see Samoa play Tonga in Brisbane in a few weeks time. It's going to be one of the highlights of my coaching career.

"We've got a really big match to play in New Zealand first. I can see the match in New Zealand being the same. Big crowds, prolific crowds that really want to support their nations. It's a brilliant spectacle for the sport and we need more of it."