France's rugby league team suffered a significant defeat against Samoa, losing 78-4 in their World Cup match. Coach Laurent Frayssinous attributed the loss to the disparity in talent levels between the NRL and Super League, noting that most of Samoa's players compete in the NRL, while France's squad is primarily made up of Super League athletes.
The match saw Samoa's Sua Fa'alogo score four tries, showcasing the effectiveness of their NRL-based roster. Frayssinous expressed a desire for NRL investment in Super League to help bridge this gap and improve the competitiveness of European teams.