With Greece halfback and captain Jordan Meads withdrawing from the match against Samoa due to influenza, coach Steve Georgallis has named Billy Magoulias in the halves to partner Lachlan Ilias.

“I am confident Billy can do the job for us, Georgallis said.

“He has the skills to play in the halves. In many ways he is a number 7 playing in a forward’s body.”

With back rower Mitchell Zampetides also ruled out due to injury, Greek domestic player Stefanos Bastas returns to the side, Sebastian Sell drops back to lock forward and 25th man Adam Vrahnos comes onto the bench after Grigorios Koutsimpogiorgos was ruled out of the tournament due to concussion.

Experienced centre Terry Constantinou will captain the Greek side in the absence of Jordan Meads.

Despite losing to England in their first match Georgallis is expecting Samoa to bounce back on Sunday at Doncaster.

🏆 When your mate asks what you’re doing this weekend…#RLWC2021 | @GreekRL pic.twitter.com/zC9LxQMi8P

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 21, 2022

“We are expecting another tough match against Samoa this weekend and we will need to be at our best for the full 80 minutes,” the coach said.