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rugby world cup 2019

RWC 2019 spotlight: Samoa

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Few people in Wales had heard of Western Samoa when they pitched up at Cardiff Arms Park for their opening Pool 3 match at Rugby World Cup 1991, which was jointly hosted by England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France.

But by the time the blue-shirted ‘minnows’ had announced themselves to the world by defeating the Welsh 16-13 in what ranks as one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history, an entire nation had been plunged headlong into mourning.

After failing to be invited to compete in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, Western Samoa had been determined to make an impact. And it was Wales who felt the full force of the Islanders as tries from To’o Vaega and Sila Vaifale broke their hearts.

Even now, 21 years on, the names of Western Samoan legends trip off the tongue as if it were yesterday: Frank Bunce, Steve Bachop, Pat Lam, Apollo Perelini and Brian Lima, known as ‘The Chiropractor’ for his bone-jarring tackles.

It was some introduction to the Rugby World Cup, but Western Samoa proved it was no fluke by running eventual winners Australia close and then beating Argentina 35-12 before falling to Scotland in a bruising quarter-final at Murrayfield.

NEW NAME, SAME OUTCOME

With a reputation for hard-running, tough-tackling rugby established, Western Samoa again rampaged to the quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup 1995, defeating both Italy and Argentina and then giving England a hurry-up before losing 22-44.

There they lost 42-14 to the hosts and eventual winners South Africa, but in 1999 they were back to their giant-killing ways once more and again it was the unwitting Welsh who were the victims of a Millennium Stadium mugging in Cardiff.

Like the iconic venue, Western Samoa had themselves been renamed and were now known as simply Samoa. But it made no difference on the pitch as the Islanders, led by Lam, produced one of the great counter-attacking displays of all time.

Having beaten Japan but then lost to Argentina, Samoa knew only victory would suffice. In a thrilling performance, they outscored Wales by five tries to three, the historic scores coming from Bachop (2), Silao Leaega, Lio Falaniko and Lam.

Hero status was immediately conferred on the gallant Samoans, who by now had the legendary Inga ‘The Winger’ Tuigamala among their ranks, along with hooker Trevor Leota and another highly-rated flanker in Junior Paramore.

Victory carried Samoa into the knock-out stages of a third successive World Cup, but again they failed to progress, losing 35-20 to Scotland.

Since then, Samoa have not been beyond the pool stages, which is somewhat surprising given the array of top-class talent at their disposal.

FALLOW YEARS

At Rugby World Cup 2003, Samoa comfortably defeated both Uruguay and Georgia but then lost to Pool C favourites England and South Africa to finish third.

Major disappointment followed in France four years later. Arriving with high hopes after what appeared to be a good build-up and with a galaxy of European-based stars at their disposal such as Alesana Tuilagi, Seilala Mapusua, David Lemi, Census Johnston, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu and the indestructible Lima, who was appearing at his fifth World Cup, the Samoans failed to fire a shot.

Beaten 59-7 by South Africa in their opening match in Paris, Samoa’s qualification hopes were left in tatters after they suffered a humbling 19-15 loss to Pacific Island rivals Tonga before losing 44-22 to a struggling England side in Nantes.

A modicum of pride was salvaged when the USA were defeated 25-21, but three losses in four matches represented Samoa’s worst World Cup showing to date.

Samoan hopes were again high ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand but, despite recording comfortable victories over Namibia and Fiji, a side led by the admirable Mahonri Schwalger again failed to progress beyond the pool stage.

Having fluffed their lines to lose 17-10 to Wales in Hamilton – a result that was celebrated with understandable gusto in the Valleys – Samoa had to beat South Africa in their final pool match in North Harbour to progress. But despite producing their best display in a World Cup match since 1999, they fell just short as the Springboks won 13-5.

COSTLY ILL-DISCIPLINE 

As in 2007, Samoa only managed one win at RWC 2015 in England, finishing off the pace in Pool B with just six points to their name.

On the eve of the tournament, Samoa had put in a creditable performance against the All Blacks in an historic test in Apia and hopes of a top-two place in the pool did not seem unreasonable.

Samoa preserved their unbeaten record against the USA with a 25-16 opening victory in Brighton. Tim Nanai-Williams and Ofisa Treviranus crossed for the Pacific Islanders either side of half-time with Tusi Pisi(pictured) kicking four penalties and Mike Stanley one.

Samoa faced a much-changed Springbok outfit still smarting from their shock defeat to Japan in their second match and succumbed to a tame 46-6 defeat at Villa Park in Birmingham. Stanley kicked Samoa into an early 6-3 lead but that was as good as it got for them as the Springboks put them to the sword.

By far the biggest disappointment of Samoa’s campaign was the 26-5 defeat inflicted on them by Japan in Milton Keynes. Both teams fielded their most-capped line-ups at a Rugby World Cup for a match neither could afford to lose, and it was Japan who rose to the occasion. The Brave Blossoms raced into a 26-0 lead after taking full advantage of two Samoan yellow cards before Paul Perez grabbed a late consolation for the ill-disciplined Islanders.

With their early exit from the tournament already confirmed, Samoa at least bowed out in style against Scotland at St James’ Park in Newcastle. Playing a full part in an end-to-end contest, Samoa scored three tries inside the opening quarter and added another late on, but they still fell just short, losing 36-33.

Fourth place in their pool, though, meant that Samoa would have to qualify for RWC 2019, something they achieved at the second attempt with victory over Germany to take the Play-off Winner berth in Pool A alongside Ireland, Scotland, hosts Japan and Russia.

RECORD BREAKERS

Tusi Pisi equaled Earl Va’a’s Samoan record for points scored (174) with his 16-point haul against Scotland at RWC 2015

Brian Lima became the first player to appear in five Rugby World Cups when he played against South Africa in Paris in RWC 2007. A debutant in Western Samoa’s historic 16-13 win over Wales in 1991, the hard-hitting back became a regular feature in the side and went on to break the record for consecutive tournament appearances (16) during RWC 2003.

Such was the magnitude of their victory over Wales, try-scorer To’o Vaega commemorated Western Samoa’s success by later naming his newborn son Cardiff.

The result of Samoa’s opening match of RWC 2007 v South Africa could have been so different had Iosefa Fekori’s ‘try’ been allowed to stand at the start of the second half. A try and conversion would have then seen the sides separated by just seven points but, instead, the second-row was penalised for being offside and Samoan heads dropped. The Springboks went on to score 38 unanswered points to win 59-7 and inflict on Samoa their heaviest defeat at the Rugby World Cup.

© Rugbyworldcup.com

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