SAMOA have expressed their disappointment in Anthony Milford but hope the Broncos sensation has not played his last game for his native country.
The credibility of Test football suffered a major blow last week when Broncos coach Wayne Bennett blocked Milford from representing Samoa in Saturday night’s Pacific Test against Tonga.
Samoa coach Matt Parish claimed Milford wanted to play against Tonga, although it later emerged the Brisbane pivot feared doing so could harm his chances of representing Queensland and Australia.
Samoan team manager Tony Puletua played alongside Milford at the 2013 World Cup and said the squad was surprised by his absence given his passion for the blue jumper.
“The boys are disappointed Anthony wasn’t able to play,” said Puletua, the former Penrith stalwart who played 10 games for Samoa between 2008-13.
“They have to move on with the week. We have a huge game on Saturday so everyone has to focus on trying to beat Tonga.
“To not have someone of Anthony’s talent is a huge loss. As tough as it is, we have selected a team that we feel can do the job on the weekend and we have every faith in the guys to do the job.
“Playing with him at the last World Cup, he was very passionate. Anthony loved representing Samoa. When I saw him at training, I said he will be a superstar in the NRL, and look at him now.
“It was always going to be a tough choice for Anthony after he pledged his allegiance to Queensland and Australia.
When those teams are fighting for his services, it’s obvious who he’s going to choose.”
Puletua urged international officials to amend eligibility laws allowing a player such as Milford to play for a tier-two nation if not selected for Queensland or Australia.
“I’d love to see the rules changed so that Anthony can play for Samoa if he can’t play for Queensland or Australia,” he said.
“If a guy isn’t picked for Origin or Australia, they should be able to play for their second-tier nation. The rules make it tougher for us smaller nations but we have to cop it on the chin and move on.
“I just hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of Anthony in the Samoan jumper because he is great for international football.’’
Samoa are the highest-ranked nation outside New Zealand, Australia and England and can cement fourth spot with victory over 16th-ranked Tonga at Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...y/news-story/bec6a480ee32c8fd796adc899f1f5442