May hospitalised in near-record loss to England in World Cup
Samoa’s near-record 60-6 World Cup capitulation to England has been compounded by three potentially serious tournament-ending injuries, including a dislocated hip that sent former Panther Tyrone May to hospital.
The biggest game in Samoan rugby league’s history turned into a real-life horror show for the island nation, as England ran riot with Victor Radley playing a pivotal role in the 10-try annihilation.
Hopes had never been higher for Matt Parish’s Samoan side given genuine NRL stars Junior Paulo, Josh Papali’i, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Joseph Suaalii all opted to represent their heritage over Australia.
But injuries to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (syndesmosis), Braden Hamlin-Uele (calf) and May, as well as a likely suspension for playmaker Anthony Milford (late tackle) only piled on top of an error-riddled performance.
May’s dislocated hip stopped play for several minutes during the second half as he writhed in agony and was eventually stretchered off, Parish indicating afterwards that the 26-year-old had been hospitalised by the injury.
“We have a few injured guys in there who I don’t think will play any further part in the tournament,” Parish said afterwards.
“Braden is a calf and [Tabuai-Fidow] is in a moon boot and crutches.
“So I would be surprised if either of those three would take any further part.
“We have to be better than that today. Without doubt. We are not using it as an excuse for anything like that.
“We didn’t have a lot of luck injury wise but …. we have to be a lot more resilient than we were.”
Parish denied his side had given up in the second half as England rattled up six tries in 16 minutes.
“We had a man in the sin bin, a second-rower in the centre, one centre who was busted, so I definitely wouldn’t say that.”
Samoa’s spine-tingling pre-game Siva Tau war dance proved their most threatening offering of the afternoon, with the 54-point loss only just falling short of their heaviest ever defeat in the international arena – a 60-6 thumping from Australia in 2000.
Parish’s pre-game insistence that Samoa’s six NRL grand finalists and a six-day preparation could see them underdone for the tournament proved painfully accurate.
They now find themselves on a quarter-final collision course with Pacific rivals Tonga with intense scrutiny in store given the quality of Samoa’s squad.
A dejected Junior Paulo as England piled on 60 points.Credit:Getty
England on the other hand were all smiles as Clovelly Crocodiles junior Radley claimed man-of-the-match honours and Knights winger Dom Young scored an impressive first-half double.
Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead also bagged a brace as Radley laid on three try-assists as a ball-playing lock in the middle, though both he and coach Shaun Wane were both slightly miffed at his best on ground status.
“He got man-of-the-match?” Wane asked in his post-game press conference.
“I thought there were other players who played really, really good. He can do a lot better Rads, I’ve no doubt in my mind and he won’t mind me saying that. I know what he can do… Rads can play a mile better than that.”
Radley added: “I’m not sure how I got the man of the match.
“I’m a bit embarrassed but I’m really stoked, this was really enjoyable.”
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