Samoa mean business as they prepare to begin their first ever Test series against England this weekend. Jarome Luai’s succinct comments to NRL.com make that clear, with the half-back, who is fresh from winning his fourth straight Grand Final Down Under, insisting Samoa have travelled to ‘win every game’.
Luai will captain his country in England and the Samoans are keen to build on their 2021 Rugby League World Cup semi-final win over Shaun Wane’s side by making something of a statement and returning to the Southern Hemisphere with a series win under their belts.
Samoa have arrived in the UK and they will be based in York as they spend this week preparing for the series opener this Sunday at the Brick Community Stadium. Ben Gardiner’s side will then make the trip to Headingley on November 2 for a second Test against the English.
England are the favourites to get the win this weekend, but it’s fair to say that Samoa fancy their chances of claiming a whitewash series win this autumn.
“Win every game, bro. Just win every game,” Luai told NRL.com when asked about the group’s mindset as they approaching the series.
He added: “[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.”
Luai is used to winning of course with the half-back playing a key role in Penrith Panthers’ NRL domination over the last four seasons. However, he’ll be joining Wests Tigers for 2025, with the Test series in England ensuring his start to life under Benji Marshall will be delayed.
The 27-year-old already has 11 caps for Samoa, with his last outing for his nation coming in the World Cup final at Old Trafford back in November 2022.