The losing Rugby League World Cup finalists Toa Samoa have thanked their worldwide supporters for rallying behind their campaign, becoming the first Pacific nation to ever reach the grand final.
They gave the fan favorites, Australia, a real battle in the Rugby League World Cup final, going down 30-10 in Manchester, England.
International media reports that while Australia has now won 12 times since the first RLWC in 1954, it was Samoa who won the hearts of almost all of the 67,502 crowd at Old Trafford and millions more watching on television.
It was a fairytale ride for the team who looked out for the count after England thrashed them 60-6 in their opening match.
That support was not lost on Toa Samoa players and coaching staff.
They did a lap of honor at the end of the trophy presentation with coach Matt Parish saying while the result was disappointing he was proud of the commitment and effort from his charges.
And he didn’t hold back his criticism of refereeing blunders that rattled his team early in the game.
“Five minutes into the second half and our hooker gets elbowed in the head and carted off,” Parish said.
“The referee made a weak decision to put him in the bin. [I’m] dumbfounded. An elbow to the head and he’s taken out of the game.”
He acknowledged the support from Samoans worldwide.
“It’s been a fantastic journey. I’d like to thank all the Samoan people around the world for supporting this team. The support we’ve had all around the world has been unbelievable.”
The support was shown in motorcades and parades in Samoa, American Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, USA and neighbors Tonga and Cook Islands.
Captain Junior Paulo thanked their supporters in a video from the changing room.
He said it was tough luck but they felt like champions, and could not wait to get back home to be with the people—hinting that the Toa Samoa could be going to Apia.
