France loses 78-4 to Samoa

France suffered a heavy defeat to Samoa in Pool B-C at the Men's Rugby League World Cup in Parramatta on Friday, conceding 14 tries to Samoa's emphatic victory.

Sua Fa'alogo's four-try impact

Melbourne Storm winger Sua Fa'alogo came off the bench as a replacement for injured Deine Mariner and scored four of Samoa's tries in the dominant performance.

France's poor opening 20 minutes

Samoa scored five tries in the opening 20 minutes as France were all over the shop. France's Leo Darrelatour and Cesar Rouge suffered head injuries, though Rouge returned after assessment.

Frayssinous points to NRL gap

France coach Laurent Frayssinous said the growing gap between the NRL and Super League was a huge factor in the defeat, worse than their 62-4 loss to Samoa four years ago.

“Do you think the NRL is far better now than four years ago? Then you have the answer.”

NRL talent dominates Samoa squad

All but one of Samoa's squad play in the NRL, while France's team is largely made up of Super League players, with only South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Latrell Siegwalt from the NRL.

Frayssinous on the quality gap

Frayssinous said the NRL keeps growing and improving faster than Super League each year, with players showing greater smartness, skill and composure under pressure week in and week out.

“The NRL keeps growing and keeps getting better every year. A step up, step up, step up.”

Frayssinous welcomes NRL investment

France's coach said he would welcome the NRL's proposed investment in Super League, believing the NRL's influence on the game in Europe would be beneficial for development.

“Definitely. What the NRL has done here is so good, what they bring to the game is great, so we want the NRL to do it the same in Europe.”

Samoa's depth shines through

Samoa head coach Ben Gardiner said Fa'alogo had a blinder coming off the bench earlier than planned, demonstrating the squad's strength in depth as Mariner faces a hamstring scan.

“And to his credit, he went out and had a blinder.”