Brothers Matthew and Andrew Johns are reportedly set to take over the Samoan national side in this year’s mid-season test matches in a major international shake-up.

While the pairing’s original bid for the Samoan top job was initially rejected in May 2021, Phil Rothfield from the Daily Telegraph has reported that Matthew Parish is prepared to step down as head coach.

The Johns brothers will be aiming emulate the success the Tongan national side had in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and in their test against the Kangaroos in 2019, defeating the reigning world champions 16-12.

The duo’s initial idea was to include Sonny Bill Williams in the coaching mix however Rothfield has suggested former Cronulla Sharks coach John Morris is expressing an interest.

Samoa’s will play their first test since 2019 against the Cook Islands in Sydney on June 25th. The Pacific nation will kick off their 2022 Rugby League World Cup campaign against England in Group A.

Samoa will also take on France and Greece in the group stages.