Australia v Samoa NRL Pacific Championship preview & betting tips

Australia vs Samoa NRL Pacific Championship best bets

Australia Kangaroos v Toa Samoa match preview – NRL Pacific Championship 2023

The NRL Pacific Championships kick off on Saturday night as the Australian Kangaroos host Samoa at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. They are facing each other for the first time since the World Cup Final last year, where Samoa will be looking to avenge the 30-10 defeat.

Australia Kangaroos Team News

The Kangaroos have named nine members of the side that won the World Cup Final, but they have also rewarded recent form as Dylan Edwards, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kotoni Staggs, and Selwyn Cobbo have all been named to make their debuts in the backline. Captain James Tedesco maintains his position at fullback, while the hooker role will be shared by Ben Hunt and Harry Grant. However, the Kangaroos will be without star halfback Nathan Cleary, as the recent Churchill Medalist has been ruled out with a knee injury. He has been replaced by veteran Daly Cherry-Evans.

Toa Samoa Team News

Similarly, Samoa is missing five-eighth Jarome Luai due to a shoulder injury, meaning that his Panthers teammate Stephen Crichton will partner 23-year-old Daejarn Asi in the halves. Winger Murray Taulagi will make his debut for Samoa after playing for the Kangaroos at the World Cup with Brian To’o named on the other wing. Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu are two more Penrith Panthers that are quickly returning from their premiership win two weeks ago. Eels’ enforcer Junior Paulo leads the side, which is filled with NRL talent, many of whom are making their international debuts.

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Australia vs Samoa betting tips – 2023 Pacific Championship

Fresh off winning the World Cup last year, the Kangaroos will be looking to continue their dominance internationally with another winning performance in the Pacific Championships starting this weekend. Coming in as major favourites at $1.08, look for more value in a 13+ win at -303.03 or to cover the line of -20.5 at -109.89 with Neds.

With the limited preparation for the tournament due to the NRL season finishing just two weeks ago, expect this match to be filled with errors on both sides. As a result, we are looking for this match to go under the total points margin of 44.5 points at -109.89.

After scoring 15 tries as a part of a struggling Dolphins side in 2023, look for debutant Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as an anytime try scorer at +120. Similarly, Panthers star winger Brian To’o presents excellent value at +200 with top Rugby League bookmakers.

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