Samoa are on the hunt for a new coach after Matt Parish announced he's stepping down from the role following their history-making run to last year’s Rugby League World Cup final.
The Pacific nation broke new ground last year when they avenged a 60-6 group stage loss to England to beat the hosts in a semi-final.
Their qualification for the final at Old Trafford, where they lost to Australia, marked the first time since 1968 that a team other than the Kangaroos, Kiwis or England had reached a World Cup decider.
Their achievements sparked wild celebrations on the islands and among the diaspora in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Parish guided Samoa at World Cups in 2013, 2017 and 2022 but the coach’s tenure had not been without tribulations and he was known to be prickly with the media.
In 2021 players railed against him and there was a public campaign for him to be replaced by the Johns brothers and Sonny Bill Williams.
Players publicly questioned the coach’s professionalism but the Rugby League Samoa board, who described him as a “blessing'' to the nation on Thursday, stuck by him.
“I am extremely grateful and honoured to have been part of this wonderful team,” said Parish, who was ordained as a chief last year.
“I’m proud of the progress we have made and the positive impact that our players had on all Samoans around the world.”
Samoa are expected to play the Kangaroos and Kiwis in a tri-series later this year.
