NRL gap a factor in France’s heavy defeat by Samoa, says boss
Samoa beat France 78-4 at the Men’s Rugby League World Cup, prompting France coach Laurent Frayssinous to say the growing gap between the NRL and Super League was a major factor. The result was heavier than France’s 62-4 defeat by Samoa at the previous World Cup, and exposed the challenge facing a side drawn largely from Super League players against opponents with extensive NRL experience.
Samoa scored 14 tries, with Melbourne winger Sua Fa’alogo crossing four times after coming on for the injured Deine Mariner; France’s only try came from Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet. Frayssinous said the NRL was improving faster in areas such as skill and decision-making under pressure, while welcoming proposed NRL investment in Super League. In the women’s tournament, Australia opened with a 40-0 win over Samoa, but coach Jess Skinner said her side still had areas to improve.
- Samoa beat France 78-4 at the Rugby League World Cup.
- Sua Fa’alogo scored four tries after coming off the bench.
- France’s coach cited the widening gap between the NRL and Super League.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
France’s defeat supports Frayssinous’s argument that a widening gap in playing standards and resources between the NRL and Super League can leave teams built mainly from Super League players at a disadvantage. If NRL investment helps raise Super League standards, it could strengthen France’s player pool and make international contests more competitive.
The case against
A single heavy defeat does not establish that the league gap was the main cause: Samoa’s performance, France’s preparation and execution, and the particular demands of this match may also have mattered. The result may point to broader differences in team quality and depth, so investment alone would not necessarily close the gap without sustained improvements in coaching, development and competition.