Assistant coach was fighting for his life a few months ago but is now back in the UK – where he was part of a famous Hull FC side – plotting to cause a huge shock in Saturday’s final against Australia
Samoa feel like they’ve come back from the dead in this World Cup – and assistant coach Frank Pritchard must feel very much the same.
Struck down by Covid, he was placed in a coma and left fighting for his life earlier this year. But thankfully the ex-Samoa captain – a Hull cult-hero after helping them to their first Wembley success in 2016 – survived and now he’s preparing his tiny country for a maiden World Cup final appearance. Superb Samoa shocked England 27-26 in a semi-final golden point at the Emirates Stadium.
That came just four weeks after being thrashed 60-6 by the same opponents and sets up Saturday’s Old Trafford decider with mighty Australia. Speaking about his Covid battle, Pritchard admitted: “It was touch and go. Covid was tough for everyone in the world. I was just lucky my body could handle it and peoples’ prayers kept me going through.
“But it’s all down to God. I’m a big believer in Christianity. I would never have thought I’d have the chance to come back over, especially having Covid at the start of the year. Who’d have thought I’d be here? But, fast forward six months, here I am running water for the Samoa team and part of this coaching staff. Things happen for a reason. And hopefully bigger and better things are to come on Saturday.”