SAMOA will be based in York for their first ever test series in England over the coming weeks.
The sides’ historic two-match series will begin on October 27 at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium, before they again come head-to-head at Headingley on November 2 in a double header with England’s women, who will take on Wales.
Shaun Wane will hope to avenge the disappointment of England’s World Cup Semi-Final defeat to Samoa in November 2022.
Stephen Crichton’s golden point drop-goal sent the Samoans through to the Final for the first time with a 27-26 victory at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. They were then beaten 30-10 by Australia in the Final.
Ben Gardiner, now Samoa’s coach, was a key member of the New Zealand coaching staff at the World Cup, and it is believed that he has chosen to base his side in the city after the success of the Kiwis’ stay there two years ago.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the historic series, he said: “This is an historic tour for us.
“We would like to extend our thanks in advance to the city of York, and to York Rugby League Football Club, for their guidance and assistance in helping us set up a brilliant opportunity to train out of their facilities, where we will be basing ourselves for the entirety of this tour.”
The Samoans will be based at the LNER Community Stadium during their stay and will make use of its facilities for their general training with the support of York RLFC.
Gardiner has named a star-studded squad, with Jarome Luai, one of just four survivors from their World Cup side, taking the captain’s armband fresh from guiding Penrith Panthers to a fourth straight NRL Premiership title.
Betfred Super League stars John Asiata and Ricky Leutele are also included after their parts in helping Leigh Leopards reach the Play-off Semi-Finals for just the first time, as are dual-code international Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jeremiah Nanai and Leeds Rhinos new recruit Keenan Palasia.
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth is delighted to have the opportunity to learn from Gardiner and his side and is looking forward to what he expects will be a hotly contested series.
“I think it’s great for York as a city, and it’s great for York rugby league that a team like Samoa with international stars to deem York’s training facilities of the standard that they want,” he told The Press.
“It shows the quality of the facilities here, and I’m really happy that they’re based here.
“I think it’s got all the makings of a great international series. I think Samoa have brought a really strong team over, there’s a four-time Grand Final winner in there, so that test series will be a good watch.
York RLFC chairman Clint Goodchild added: “It’s quite exciting, it’s something that’s been in the background now putting the pieces together for about three months.
“I was absolutely delighted when Ben Gardiner, who was over here during the World Cup with the New Zealand team, reached out, showed interest and wanted to bring the touring team here.
“It’s a really positive situation helping an international team and hosting them in the most beautiful city in the country is a great thing for all of us.
“They’ll be based at the stadium and using a lot of the facilities there for their general training, that’s with support from City of York Council which we appreciate.
“It’s very humbling that a national team and a World Cup finalist would want to come and base themselves here and put their faith in our city and in our club to support them.
“It’s just our job now to make sure they want to keep coming back.”
Tickets for the test series are available from £25 per match for Adults and £12.50 per match for Under 16s, and can be purchased here.
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