1. Having famously refused to release Anthony Milford to play for Samoa, Wayne Bennett is set to experience the shoe being placed on the other foot over his England captain, Sean O'Loughlin. O'Loughlin overcame a calf injury to play in Wigan's grand final triumph but when he was asked about his Four Nations availability at the post match media conference, coach Shaun Wane jokingly called an end to proceedings. The club reportedly wants O'Loughlin to sit out the tournament. "To be honest, I've not spoken to anyone about that yet" said O'Loughlin. "I've come through the game alright. That will be a conversation I'll have to have with whoever is involved in selection."

2. The only aspect of Samoa's first full rugby league Test on home soil that didn't meet expectations was the result. The Samoan side led 18-0 only to be run down and eclipsed 20-18 at Apia Park. But with the minister for sport kicking off, the game certainly seemed a step forward for the game in a country where rugby union remains dominant. There was international action elsewhere, too. In Tokyo, Greece scored a 72-0 win over Japan. In Bray, home side Ireland met Malta 58-10. World Cup qualifiers get underway in the weeks ahead.

Ironic: England coach Wayne Bennett is set to lose captain Sean O'Loughlin for the Four Nations, as his club Wigan do not want to release him. Credit:Getty Images

3. Taulima Tautai says he might have to ask his former Cronulla team-mates to go easy on him in the World Club Challenge. The Wigan Super League winner played 33 games for the Sharks in 2010 and 2011 and will be up against friends in the pre-season showpiece next year. "I'll probably call one of the boys to (get them to) take it easy, to be honest," said Tautai, 28. "I still speak to some, like Sam Tagataese. Joseph Paulo, we played together coming through our juniors. Gal (Paul Gallen) and people like that are really good mates. It will be good to play them again. All the boys are pretty stoked, I think they're still on a Mad Monday."