Rugby League World Cup: France crushed by Samoa (78-4)

The defeat is even heavier than the 62-4 loss to the same opponents in 2022.

France conceded five tries in the first twenty minutes, overwhelmed by Samoa’s power and pace, and lost César Rougé to a concussion assessment early on. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet scored France’s only try before the break. In the second half, several handling errors let Samoa run riot.

Same story as 2022

At the last World Cup, played in England in 2022, France were also heavily beaten by Samoa (62-4) before going out in the pool stage. Samoa went on to reach the final, lost to Australia (30-10).

England and Lebanon next

Drawn in Pool C, Laurent Frayssinous’s side still have to face England and Lebanon, the other two Pool B teams. Only the top two in a combined Pool B and C table reach the semi-finals.