What: 2014 Four Nations Test match
Who: Australia v Samoa
When: Sunday, November 9 – 4.00pm (AEDT)
Where: WIN Stadium
I Can Watch It On: Channel Nine
What did they do last week?
The Kangaroos squeezed past England to record a controversial 16-12 come-from-behind win in Melbourne last Sunday. They lost to the Kiwis 30-12 in the opening round.
Samoa led for most of the contest against New Zealand in Whangarei but finished on the wrong end of a 14-12 scoreline. They also gave England a scare in the first round, going down 32-26.
Things you need to know
Australia have been forced to tinker with their pack after back-rower Beau Scott was ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered against England. Scott is expected to be available for the final in Wellington next Saturday if the Kangaroos qualify. Sam Thaiday shifts from prop to the back-row, with Josh Papalii to start up front. Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra and Ryan Hoffman have been named in the 17, with Ben Hunt, David Klemmer and Matt Moylan also named on an extended bench. The Kangaroos are third on the ladder with a minus 14-point differential. If the Kiwis beat England on Saturday any win by the Kangaroos will be enough to make the final. If England beat the Kiwis Australia will have to beat Samoa by at least 16 points.
Samoa have made two changes with Antonio Winterstein returning on the wing for Tautau Moga while Pita Godinet starts at hooker for Sauaso Sue who drops to the bench. Matt Parish's side can still make the final but they need the Kiwis to topple England and then must beat the Kangaroos to make it.
Reason to watch
Samoa have been a revelation this tournament. They've thrown the ball around in attack and belted the living daylights out of both England and the Kiwis in defence. Whatever the result this will be an entertaining clash.
Reason to turn away
If the Kangaroos lose it'll be the first time they have missed the final of a major tournament since 1954. Watching Pakistan belt Michael Clarke and co in the cricket was embarrassing enough but a loss to Samoa this weekend would be even more disastrous for Tim Sheens and the players involved.
Say what
"I have said to the guys we are not playing in the final yet, we have a big game this week and so have England. New Zealand looked scratchy on the weekend against Samoa, Samoa really played strongly and our issue is we have to lift to beat that side.
"I can't control what is going to happen in the other game ... we still have to win the game and whatever happens happens," – Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens.
Final Word
The bookies are tipping an easy Kangaroos win but this game should be a genuine contest. Much will depend on the result of the New Zealand v England game on Saturday. If the Poms beat the Kiwis Samoa can't make the final so would be playing for pride while the Kangaroos would need to win by at least 16 points so would look to put a big score on the Samoans. But Sheens' charges have been average at best so far this tournament while the Samoans have played beyond all expectations and should really have won both of their games so far. We expect them to be right in this contest once again but the class of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis will drag Australia home in the final 20. Kangaroos by 10.
Luxbet Odds
Australia - $1.09
Samoa - $7.75
Teams
Australia: 1. Greg Inglis, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Dylan Walker, 5. Sione Mata'utia, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Josh Papalii, 11. Sam Thaiday, 12. Greg Bird, 13. Corey Parker.
Interchange: 14. Boyd Cordner, 15. Robbie Farah, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Ryan Hoffman, 18. Ben Hunt, 19. David Klemmer, 20. Matt Moylan (three to be omitted).
Samoa: 1 Tim Simona, 2 Antonio Winterstein, 3 Tim Lafai, 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Daniel Vidot, 6 Ben Roberts, 7 Kyle Stanley, 8 Isaac Liu, 9 Pita Godinet, 10 David Fa'alogo (c), 11 Frank Pritchard, 12 Leeson Ah Mau, 13 Josh McGuire.
Interchange: 14 Dunamis Lui, 15 Reni Maitua, 16 Sauaso Sue, 17 Mose Masoe, 18 Jesse Sene-Lefao, 19 Tautau Moga (two to be omitted).