NRL stars to line up for Samoa against Cook Islands despite wanting coach axed

Anthony Milford, David Nofoaluma and Josh Aloiai will play under Samoa coach Matt Parish in next week’s Pacific test, one year after signing a petition for him to be axed.

The Samoan trio were each named in a strong squad by Parish on Thursday, ahead of their clash with the Cook Islands at Campbelltown Stadium on June 25.

While the likes of Josh Papali’i, Junior Paulo, Brian To’o and Jarome Luai are unavailable through State of Origin, NRL stars such as Josh Schuster, Luciano Leilua and Martin Taupau will all feature.

The match marks the first since issues arose within the 20-man Samoa squad were highlighted during the absence of international rugby league due to COVID-19.

In a petition which was addressed to the Samoan prime minister last year, squad members complained of a lack of professionalism and poor results under Parish.

A lack of respect for the Samoan cultural practices and traditions was also cited in the letter.

Milford, Nofoaluma and Aloiai were among those to sign the petition for change, with the letter declaring a vote of no confidence for Parish.

Parish has since firmly denied the accusations, and claimed he had the support of his players and insisted the Samoan stars had signed the petition unknowing of its contents.

The Samoan coach has held onto his job ever since, despite pushes for the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Andrew and Matthew Johns to take over.

Samoa have won just one of their past nine tests, having been usurped by Tonga as a power of Pacific rugby league.

They also face a crucial end-of-year World Cup, as the likes of Luai, To’o, Papali’i and Paulo weigh up whether to preference Australian or Samoan selection.

Samoa should at least still have far more NRL experience than their opponents Cook Islands next Saturday.

Meanwhile Alex Johnston, Justin Olam, David Mead and Lachlan Lam have each been named in the Papua New Guinea squad to face Fiji on the same night.