Get ready for fireworks! Kiwis star Joseph Tapine is bracing for an all-out war when New Zealand clashes with Samoa in the Pacific Championships opener. He's not mincing words – he's calling it a "blood bath." But what exactly makes this match so explosive, and why is Tapine so fired up? Let's dive in.
Fresh off a gruelling NRL season, Tapine joined Sport Nation’s Sam Ackerman to preview the highly anticipated match against Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium. The quick turnaround from club football to international duty presents a unique challenge: how to build team cohesion in such a short space of time?
Tapine acknowledges the difficulty. "It’s a tough one," he admits. "We all play footy and we know how to play, it’s probably just building combinations." He emphasizes the importance of intense training sessions to forge those crucial on-field connections. "We trained the other day, a pretty intense one, and we’ve got another big session today so we’re just making sure our they have good intent in them. Going off the other day, the boys are firing."
Ackerman rightly points out that the forward pack battle is going to be legendary. The Samoan side boasts titans like Payne Haas, Junior Paulo, and Josh Papali'i. Facing them are the Kiwis' own powerhouses: Tapine himself, James Fisher-Harris, and Moses Leota. This clash of titans has the potential to be truly earth-shattering.
"I hope that Go Media Stadium has some earthquake proofing," Ackerman joked, setting the stage perfectly for Tapine's bold prediction. "The first 15 to 20 minutes is going to be a blood bath," Tapine declared. "That’s what we train for, we’re keen. The boys have been talking about that and going after them so that’s our goal this week."
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about brute force. It's about strategy, discipline, and exploiting weaknesses. The first few minutes will set the tone for the entire match, so expect both teams to come out swinging with everything they've got.
Ackerman is especially intrigued by the prospect of Tapine facing off against his Canberra Raiders teammate and close friend, Josh Papali'i. This adds an extra layer of personal rivalry to an already intense encounter.
"We’ll go at it during the game and enjoy a cold one after," Tapine said, highlighting the respect that exists between these warriors despite their fierce competition. "He’s probably one of my best mates. I know there’ll be no love lost after the game, but we’re playing for our country, so it’s going to be pretty intense out there."
But here's where it gets controversial... Does the friendship between Tapine and Papali'i actually add to the intensity? Or does it, perhaps subconsciously, lead to a slight holding back? It's a fascinating dynamic to consider.
NZ Warriors fans know all about Tapine's intensity. He showcased it vividly when his Raiders defeated the Wahs 16-10 in Auckland earlier this year. The reception he received from the home crowd only fueled his fire.
"Coming home and getting booed, it gave me a bit of extra fire," Tapine revealed. "I could tell the Warriors fans didn’t really like me after that, I had to turn my messages off." This is a prime example of how passion and rivalry can elevate a player's performance.
Now, those same Warriors fans have the opportunity to cheer for Tapine as he represents New Zealand. He views this year's tournament as crucial preparation for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in 2025.
"Going into the World Cup next year, we have to build into that," Tapine explained. "We need to put that jersey where it belongs and put some respect on our jersey. There will be a point to prove this year."
Tapine recognizes the formidable challenge posed by the Samoan forward pack. "Some of their players across the forward packs are the most dominant in the NRL, I’m looking forward to the challenge." He sees this as an opportunity to test himself against the best and elevate his game to a new level. This kind of leadership is what New Zealand needs to succeed in the tournament.
The Kiwis will face Toa Samoa at 6:05pm on Sunday 19 October at Go Media Stadium. Don't miss what promises to be an unforgettable clash.
So, what do you think? Will the Kiwis withstand the Samoan onslaught? Will Tapine's intensity be enough to lead New Zealand to victory? And how much will the friendship between Tapine and Papali'i influence their on-field performance? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
