Fetu Samoa’s first Rugby League World Cup semi-final appearance has been powered by a generation already making its mark on the international stage.
Six players in the side that defeated England 24–6 were aged 20 or younger. Eighteen-year-old winger Freedom Crichton Ropati scored three tries in that win, helping Samoa earn a meeting with the Kiwi Ferns in Newcastle.
Co-captain Annetta Nuuausala told NRL.com that the younger players had brought maturity as well as energy. She credited their willingness to learn and the connections built within the squad.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 20, and Tyra Ekepati, 19, have each contributed three tries across Samoa’s victories over Wales and England.
For Samoa, the next challenge is turning that attacking confidence into a performance against New Zealand. The semi-final is scheduled for Saturday 7 November.
The team has already reached a new stage in its World Cup history. Its young players now have another opportunity to show what they can do.
