The final might have been last month, but Samoa had one last stop to make on their extraordinary Rugby League World Cup journey – back home to the 685.
Samoa celebrate their 2021 Rugby League World Cup semi–inal win over England.
Photo: Photosport
After the island nation’s extraordinary run to November’s World Cup final made headlines around the globe, they were welcomed back to Apia as heroes when they arrived on Samoan soil earlier this week.
Hundreds of fans crowded Faleolo International Airport to greet the team as they arrived on separate flights, with the celebrations and singing continuing long into the early hours of the morning.
The rapturous reception kicked off days of celebrations for the side that guided Samoa to their first World Cup final in any sport.
An epic victory over Tonga in the quarter-finals and a golden point triumph over England in the semi-finals resulted in remarkable scenes across the world as the Samoan diaspora showed out in force for the island nation.
Despite Matt Parish’s side going down 30-10 to Australia in the final at Old Trafford, their achievement remains a historic one for Pasifika sport and for Samoa itself.
The cries of “685 (Samoa’s international calling code) to the world” rang throughout the nation as their heroes returned home.
There was street parade through Apia on Thursday before Parish and captain Junior Paulo addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support through the campaign.
“We’re very honoured and privileged to be here to celebrate with you guys,” Parish said.
“We took a lot of inspiration throughout the tournament from the love and support and the parades that were going on in this great nation.
“In the tough times, we drew strength from you people. We are very proud and humbled by what we did.
“We also showed a lot of courage and resilience and a lot of teamwork, something that typifies Samoan people.
“I would like to thank everyone who made it possible for us to come back here for this celebration, particularly the Samoan government for their ongoing support of Rugby League Samoa, the board of Rugby League Samoa, and all of our fantastic sponsors.
“It has been a great end to 2022 for Samoa and I would just like to wish all Samoans around the world all the best for 2023 – 685 baby, the world knows where we are.”
The loudest cheers of the day were reserved for Paulo, who later led his side in a Siva Tau with the adoring crowd.
Paulo first addressed the crowd in Samoan before switching to English.
“Samoa, you are the reason why we are here today. We get to celebrate with you all and we see how much it means to you.
“We are so proud that we are here to celebrate here with you all, our families, our friends but most of all our people.
“We are finally here. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.
“We now know where Samoa is, because it’s 685 to the world!”
The players were hosted by Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa at a government reception and will travel to Savai’I, the countries largest island, for New Year’s Eve before returning home.
The festivities also honoured Samoa’s rugby sevens team who recently downed New Zealand in the final of the Cape Town sevens tournament.
– ABC
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