>
As anticipation mounts to the Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and Samoa, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has pledged his support to the underdogs.
The NFL star was born in Hawaii but has proud Samoan roots and wore the traditional Ie Faitaga before his debut.
The 24-year-old took to Twitter to make a formal ‘shout out’ to Matt Parish’s side, who have sent their passionate supporters into a frenzy ahead of the game at Manchester’s Old Trafford.
“Well done Toa Samoa for making history by making it to the finals,” the NFL star said in a video from one of the Dolphins gyms.
“You make guys like me very proud to be Samoan.
“I just wanted to wish you the best of luck and know that we will be cheering you on. Go get ’em honey.’
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has pledged his support for Samoa ahead of the Rugby League World Cup final against Australia
NRL star Jarome Luai has lit up the tournament in the UK and will face Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary at Old Trafford in Manchester
Tagovailoa’s praise comes as dozens of Samoan supporters prepare to swarm the streets of Australia and Samoa to see their heroes in the 80-minute David vs. Goliath encounter.
In Samoa, it was a week of celebrations with convoys of supporters in cars, on foot and traveling by boat, waving flags and congregating in the town centers of Apia and Otara.
Tofiga Fepulea’i was one of the supporters who gathered in Otara and said that the energy coming from the locals was enormous.
“It’s already crazy, we’ve got all the vans and all the families out with their flags,” he said.
Samoan students perform for their national team ahead of their big World Cup game against Australia
“It’s going to be great, it’s going to be a great party and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It’s really huge, we’ve always known that if we could get the best of our players into the same team, we could get great results.
“It’s clear now that the boys are in the final and we’re very proud of them and look forward to seeing them crush Australia.”
But it’s not just Samoa where the streets come alive, with Samoan supporters turning up in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and even Tonga.
Sydney’s west – where many of Samoa’s NRL stars call home – is expected to be a hive of activity, much like Brisbane’s Logan City.
Besides English, Samoan is the dominant language spoken in the local government area in the Sunshine State.
Logan local Jerry Lale said community support has grown as Samoa has continued to win.
We’ve been celebrating for weeks. So since the World Cup started. We’re probably in our fourth or fifth week. And yes, we are on fire. We love it,” he said.
Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos are pretty much unappealing favorites – but they’ll be wary given the electric form of Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Junior Paulo and teen superstar Joseph Suaalii.
Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos are virtually unassailable favorites leading up to the finals (pictured, respective captains James Tedesco of Australia and Junior Paulo of Samoa)
Many footy fans wrote off Samoa after being thrashed 60-6 by England in their opening game in the UK – but they roared back impressively – beating the hosts 27-26 in a high quality World Cup semi-final.
For the first time in World Cup history, a ‘tier two’ country will also be featured in the final.
Even Hollywood actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson praised the Samoan team.
“A message to our Samoan team who will proudly compete in the MEN’S FINAL RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP,” he posted on Instagram.
“A huge and historic achievement for our country and culture of SAMOA.
‘GRIT (fa’a Samoa) and LEGACY (our ancestors) ‘The other side of your legacy is through your grit. I love you. TO WIN.’
The post is loved by Johnson’s nearly 500,000 followers, and Luai and Brian To’o responded to Friday’s post.
It kicks off Sunday, November 20 at 3 a.m. (AEDT), live on Fox Sports.