THERE will be no Wembley dream for Saints’ Samoan trio after a well-drilled Fiji side out-manoeuvred them at Warrington to set up a World Cup semi-final clash with Australia.

Skippered by Saints packman Sia Soliola, Samoa – featuring the Salford-bound Tony Puletua and new recruit Mose Masoe – had won a lot of friends in the tournament with their energetic and robust ‘blood-and-thunder’ approach.

But the quarter-final was a step too far with Samoa never really adjusting to the loss of stand-off Penani Manumalealii and they appeared to run out of steam as the game progressed.

Speaking to the Star in the tunnel after the game Soliola, who has led from the front after taking the skipper’s armband from the injured Harrison Hansen, said: “It is just one of those things where we picked the wrong day to have our worst game of the tournament.

“Full credit to Fiji, they came out firing and we just couldn't keep up especially in that first half. They were the better side on the day.

“We lost a few boys in the first half and we were juggling a bit with players for the rest of the game.

“We are happy with the way we have progressed throughout the tournament, but obviously not happy with the result today and we would have liked to get to the semis.

“It is just one of those things, Fiji just applied the pressure and to their credit their defence was awesome today.”

Samoa, who were missing a handful of big names, beat Papua New Guinea and France to finish second in Group B and reach the last eight.

And Soliola, a former Kiwi test international, was keen to draw on the positives and spoke of his pride at skippering the team – which involved leading the Samoan war dance – the Siva Tau.

“It has provided some good exposure for some of the young boys who have played in this team.

“It has given some exposure for the country itself over here and it is a good base for us build on in future tournaments.

“We haven’t had the household names that we had named in that half-year team, but the way the boys gelled together and performed as a team, you could call it a success.

“It is one of the first times we have reached the quarter final and in the oncoming years we’d like to go further and perhaps be there on the big day.

“It is great to play for a country which has always been my first language, Samoan. Growing up with the culture, to play for the side is one thing, but to be the captain is a huge honour and a big responsibility as well. It has been fun.

“To have this bunch of boys has made my job easier. I can't fault these boys, they have been great,” he said.

Soliola and Masoe will now have a short break before returning to Saints after Christmas.