Ex-Wakefield Trinity boss Willie Poching reveals what Samoa must do to win Wolrd Cup Final

In less than half an hour, Samoa will look to defy the odds in the Rugby League World Cup Final and defeat Australia to take the world title away from Mal Meninga’s side.

To many Samoa are rank outsiders, but former Leeds Rhinos Grand Final winner and Wakefield Trinity coach Willie Poching has explained what they need to do to win.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, he said: “They’ll have to defend well and kick strong and force some errors down the field. Offensively they’ll ask some questions of them.

“One of the matchups I’m looking forward to is Luai against Cleary. It’s Luai’s mouth and Cleary’s skill and I think they’ll have a big say in the game.”

Meanwhile, another former Rhino Danny Buderus provided what he thinks the Aussie game plan will be as a former Australia skipper: “The Aussies will look to get to the end of their sets, have a good kicking game and suffocate Samoa. They’ll look to go through the middle and take their opportunities.

“I think that will be the mindset to pin the Samoans back.”

He does also think that the support Samoa will have going into the game will help make them dangerous: “They have a groundswell of support in their favour. Just turning up and playing isn’t enough for them. They’ll be dangerous for sure.”