Salford Red Devils duo receive deserved but surprising call up to Samoa squad

Samoa were blown away by England in the World Cup opener on Saturday at St James’ Park.

They conceded 10 tries in a game they were favourites for as Grand Final winners and State of Origin stars suffered one of their worst ever defeats.

It was a game that saw them enter as a potential candidate for World Cup glory and leave with people questioning the quality of the side.

What made matters worse was a number of injuries picked up by the team including to Super League star Tyrone May of the Catalans Dragons who suffered a dislocated hip in the second half which could leave him out for up to five months.

This has resulted in Matt Parish having to call up extra players to his squad in the shape of a Salford Red Devils duo.

It is a deserved call-up for two of Super League’s best players in 2022 but one that no one would have foreseen at the start of the tournament.

The duo are 2022 Super League Dream Team members Ken Sio and Tim Lafai.

Sio has been a try scoring machine over the last two seasons and has twice been named in the Super League Dream Team.

Meanwhile, Lafai was one of the signings of the season and a human wrecking ball at times including when up against Champions St Helens in a game where he caused them endless problems.

It will be exciting to see the duo in the World Cup over the next few weeks and even more special should Samoa go on and win it knowing that now more Super League stars are a part of the mix there.