Samoa captain Jarome Luai and Spencer Leniu had frustrating nights against the Australian Kangaroos at Allianz Stadium, sin bin, player ratings

Australia is into another World Cup final but many of the talking points surrounded the ill-disciplined and error-riddled performance of the Samoan players.

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Two of their best and most experienced players have come under the spotlight for their heated moments.

Spencer Leniu was sent to the sin bin and look like he’ll be facing the match review committee while captain Jarome Luai was put on report in the 44-12 loss to the Kangaroos at Allianz Stadium.

Read on for the Samoa player ratings from the World Cup semi-final!

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 4

It certainly wasn’t Hammer time on Sunday night. The speedster was quiet for much of the evening as he had limited opportunities to light up the field.

He did put Izack Tago into a gap to score, but he didn’t inject himself enough into the match. He was happy to sit back, let things unfold and wait for his moment.

The problem is none came.

He needed to get in there and have a run and use his speed to frighten the Aussies.

He ran for just 82m and didn’t get anything going. He needs to borrow a little bit of James Tedesco’s game.

2. Brian To’o – 5

He was typically tough and tried hard, but had the barnstorming winger just lost a touch of that explosiveness and zip of late?

He also struggled in the air against Jack Bostock who towered above him.

He always showed up to take a tough run but only carried the ball for 146m from 18 runs. Fair stats for most, but for him.

3. Izack Tago – 5

Had a pretty quiet night but when he was given space and a decent chance he took advantage of it and scored a try midway through the second half to give his side a glimmer of hope.

He took some pressure off the forwards with 14 carries but outside his try, he wasn’t a threat with the ball in hand and missed four tackles.

4. Stephen Crichton – 6

Called for a Captain’s Challenge early on and lost it, which set the tone for the night.

Kept his team in the game early in the second half with a try after chasing hard down the field to capitalise on a Reece Walsh dropped bomb.

Tried to pull off a few big hits to inspire his team, but only managed eight runs for 51m.

5. Sualauvi Faalogo – 7

He was always coming into the middle of the field to try and spark his side with his electric footwork.

He can stop on a dime but was often trying to do things from inside his own half. “I want him doing those things on tackle four and not two,” Trent Robinson said regarding his hit-ups.

Luke Keary even called for him to move to fullback midway through the second half so he could get more involved as he was one of the few players who looked dangerous.

6. Ronald Volkman – 2

Wasn’t his best night, defensively, and he was showed up when he got burnt by Reece Walsh on the edge before the star fullback went over untouched to give Australia an 18-point lead.

He then missed Cameron Murray who offloaded to get the Kangaroos on the board again. He was put on report late for a cheap shot on Jacob Preston.

He came a long way in 2026, but was found out at Test level with a bunch of missed tackles.

7. Jarome Luai (c) – 4

Was ill-disciplined early which didn’t help as the Australians were getting on top, giving away a silly penalty and six again soon after.

He was then put on report for lifting a tackle. He played like an angry man throughout the game and looked more focused on the niggle than getting his side back in it when they were well behind. He’s also not a halfback and, unlike his opposite Tom Dearden, wasn’t squaring up the line by playing straight and direct.

8. Francis Molo – 4.5

Came up with a desperate try-saving play off a grubber kick but like his front row partner, he didn’t punch through the line when taking the ball up.

He only missed one tackle on the night which was better than most of his side.

14. Jazz Tevaga – 3

Came up with a crucial miss, when defending out of position off a scrum, on Tom Dearden which led to the first try of the match.

And also missed Jacob Preston before he scored the second try. A forgettable night out.

10. Junior Paulo (c) – 3.5

By the 57th minute mark the veteran had just three runs for 20m.

He was better in his second spell when making a couple of tackle breaks and providing a lone offload.

He looked every bit like a prop who is about to turn 33.

11. Connelly Lemuelu – 5

He wasn’t overly noticed which actually wasn’t a bad thing as most of his teammates were coming up with forgetful moments.

He only had five carries for just 22m.

He tried hard in defence but like seven of his other teammates he gave away a penalty.

12. Jermaine McEwen – 5

Went off early for a HIA after copping a high hit. Returned to the field and came up with a try-saver on Bradman Best which was a play full of determination.

He tried to inspire his side with and without the ball and had six tackle breaks and made 28 tackles.

13. Francis Manuleleua – 4

Along with Tevaga, he let Dearden slice through to score the opening try.
He looked to have redeemed himself when setting up Stephen Crichton but was found to have come up with a little knock on into Reece Walsh.

He made 30 tackles but also missed eight and came up with a few mistakes.

9. Benaiah Ioelu – 6

Came off the bench when his side was on the back foot.

It was hard for him to get going with all the momentum against his side, but when given a chance was happy to jump out of dummy half for a scurry.

He topped the tackle count for his side and only missed one so he was one of the better performers.

15. Spencer Leniu – 1

The game’s greatest bench impact player dropped the ball on his first carry. He gave away a crucial six again which led to an Australian try in the next set.

To make matters worse, he was then sent to the sin bin for abusing the referee.

His hothead really let his side down. The power prop could only manage four runs for 29m in a night to forget.

Kiwi great Shaun Johnson was critical on Leniu in commentary.

“He got this one wrong. No player can approach a ref unless you’re the skipper. You can’t condone that sort of behaviour and he’ll be disappointed in himself. He’s put his boys under more pressure than what they already were.”

16. Shawn Blore – N/A

Didn’t get on to the field.

17. Ata Mariota – 3

Came on early for McEwen and worked hard.

He made 31 tackles and missed none, but like many of his teammates he didn’t cause the Kangaroos any issues.

18. Clayton Faulalo – 4

Came on very late in the match to play just six minutes but his two runs were nice and he wasn’t required to do anything, defensively, on the wing.

But he’s got a bright future in the Samoan jersey.

19. Deine Mariner – N/A

Didn’t get on to the field.