Current Toa Samoa Coach Matt Parish has apologised to former Toa Samoa captain Willie Poching, after the former Samoan rugby league player was locked out of one of the team's training sessions.

The Australian Associated Press reported last week that Mr. Poching, who is a former Toa Samoa captain who currently resides in the United Kingdom, was locked out of a Toa Samoa training session following their 60-6 drubbing at the hands of England in the Rugby League World Cup opener.

Mr. Poching was reportedly invited by the Samoa Rugby League President Tagaloa Fa'fouina Su'a to meet with the team following their loss to England, but was turned away when he arrived at their Doncaster camp.

"I came away pretty upset, I feel like I'd done a lot for Samoa and the jersey It is emotional for me and I said to my son who came with me 'your grandfather would be really disappointed'," he told the AAP.

"Dad was one of the blokes who started the team ... There is no Toa Samoa right now as we know it."

However, the United Kingdom's BBC Radio reported over the weekend that the Australian coach rang the former Wakefield Trinity head coach to apologise, with Mr. Poching saying he has accepted Mr. Parish's apology.

"I spoke to Matt Parish and full credit to Matt, he rang me the next day," Poching said. "He gave me an apology, which I accepted, and he asked me to come meet him after the game, which I did. He was very sincere in his apology, there was obviously a mix-up and my support for the team and the country hasn't changed.

"Full credit to Matt for putting his hand out and offering the apology that he did. It was hard to take at the time but we're trying to move on from that now. 

"They've got a big game, probably the biggest game of the weekend against France this week and both teams need to win. I don't think there's a clear-cut winner but it will make for an exceptional game."

Toa Samoa face France in the last match of the group stage on Sunday (Monday 6am Samoa local time) and will qualify for the quarter finals if they overcome the French.