Toa Samoa powerful statement crushing France 78–4 in the first match

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 19 October 2026 – Police were called to several locations Friday night as fans disrupted traffic in noisy car parades as Toa Samoa made a powerful statement in their first match, crushing France 78–4 at CommBank Stadium after scoring 14 tries.

The Samoan side gave their fans plenty to celebrate, with replacement winger Sualauvi Fa’alogo scoring four tries and Stephen Crichton contributing 22 points through 11 successful kicks.

The team showed its determination even before kick-off, as players became emotional during the national anthem before performing the Siva Tau.

Samoa needed just three minutes to open the scoring, with Deine Mariner racing over untouched on the wing after France failed to maintain its defensive line.

The early try set the tone for a dominant opening, as Samoa scored twice more through Benaiah Ioelu in the sixth minute and Jermaine McEwen in the eighth. Crichton converted all three tries to give Samoa an 18–0 lead inside the first 10 minutes.

Fa’alogo added his first try in Samoan colours after the 10-minute mark, before Isaiya Katoa Tabuai-Fidow crossed to extend the lead.

However, Mariner’s night ended early after he suffered a hamstring injury following his opening try. Fa’alogo came off the bench to replace him and made an immediate impact.

Sua Faalogo scores

France briefly fights back
France struggled to contain Samoa’s attacking power but found an opportunity to respond in the 24th minute.

After winning two penalties and putting pressure on the Samoan defence, France moved the ball close to the try line. Dummy-half Benjamin Garcia helped create the opportunity for Louis Grossemy to score in the corner.

Despite the brief setback, Samoa finished strongly before the break. Fa’alogo scored his second try in the 37th minute after a series of powerful runs through the middle by the forwards.

Crichton converted from out wide to send Samoa into halftime with a commanding 34–4 lead.

Samoa turns up the pressure after halftime
Samoa showed no signs of slowing down after the restart, with Crichton scoring the team’s seventh try just two and a half minutes into the second half.

Francis Manuleleua crossed soon after as Samoa continued to exploit gaps in the French defence.

Fa’alogo then completed his hat-trick after running on to a long pass from Jarome Luai with 15 minutes remaining and did it again scoring his fourth try a few minutes later.

Luai continued to direct Samoa’s attack, using his passing and footwork to create opportunities for his teammates.

Chanel Harris-Tavita also helped control the play, while Brian To’o and Crichton contributed to the side’s attacking threat.

Warriors playmaker Tavita crossed between the posts following another impressive piece of play from Luai, before centre Izack Tago scored with eight minutes remaining.

Crichton converted Tago’s try to push Samoa’s lead to 66 – 4.

Francis Molo then forced his way over the line to bring Samoa to 70 points.

Crichton added the conversion, taking the score to 72–4.

Ioelu provided the final highlight in the dying seconds, leaping to collect the ball after Crichton’s attempted penalty kick struck the upright.

He scored Samoa’s 14th try of the match, and Crichton converted to complete the 78–4 victory.

Toa Captains JR Paulo & Jarome Luai during the send off by Government and the fans 9 October 2026.

Paulo thanks passionate Samoan fans
In a press Conference uploaded by NRL with Coach Ben Gardiner and Captain Junior Paulo thanked the Samoan supporters for their strong turnout and the encouragement they gave the team.

“It’s awesome to see the way they turn up,” Paulo told Seven after the game.

“It means everything to us. This is the reason why we play for our nation. To turn up here and see the crowd means the world to us.

“We gotta dig deep out there; they are the reason.”

Toa Samoa’s victory gave the team a strong start to its campaign and showed its attacking potential, with Fa’alogo’s four tries and Crichton’s accurate kicking among the standout performances.

The 78–4 win set a new all-time record for Toa Samoa’s highest-ever score and biggest winning margin in international rugby league history.

But things are expected to get tougher as the competition progresses against the PNG Kumuls on Saturday, October 24 at 5:25pm (Samoa time) at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Toa Samoa next faces Tonga who put on a strong performance in its opening match beating England 30-12.