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The physical powerhouses that are Samoa are a well-respected international competitor. All but one World Cup involving Samoa has either seen them causing an upset or coming very close to doing so.
In 1991, and 1999 Samoa shocked Wales; in 2003 Samoa pushed champions England for 70 minutes; in 2011 Samoa would lose 17-10 against Wales, and 13-5 against South Africa; and in 2015 Samoa fell 36-33 to Scotland.
All told Samoa has a highly commendable record of appearances in the Quarter Finals of RWCs 1991, and 1995. Since then, in the professional era, Samoa has not advanced beyond the group stage but is always taken seriously.
Ironically Samoa were deemed not good enough by authorities to compete in the inaugural World Cup. This saw Samoa debuting in 1991. They would do so in style, defeating Wales in Cardiff. This warning sign must be noted by the opposition awaiting them this year in RWC 2019.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
| RWC | FINAL PLACING | RESULTS |
| 1987 | Did not participate | – |
| 1991 | Quarter Finalists | Won vs Argentina, Wales Lost vs Australia, Scotland |
| 1995 | Quarter Finalists | Won vs Argentina, Italy Lost vs England, South Africa |
| 1999 | Quarter Final Play-off | Won vs Japan, Wales Lost vs Argentina, Scotland |
| 2003 | Group Stage | Won vs Georgia, Uruguay Lost vs England, South Africa |
| 2007 | Group Stage | Won vs USA Lost vs England, Tonga, South Africa |
| 2011 | Group Stage | Won vs Fiji, Namibia Lost vs South Africa, Wales |
| 2015 | Group Stage | Won vs USA Lost vs Japan, Scotland, South Africa |
Overall record: Played 28, Won 12, Lost 16
RWC 2019 SCHEDULE
Samoa have been afforded a favorable pool. They are to play in Pool A, arguably the easiest of all four of the groups. It is the only group without a prior RWC winner and Scotland’s RWC 1991 Semi Finals appearance is the only one by the teams in the pool.
Despite their group seeding and World Rugby rankings, Samoa will feel that they have the means of gaining wins in their pool. Compared to neighbors Fiji, Samoa will have more manageable match dates, which means less changes to the starting XV will be required.
Not only does Samoa have comparatively friendly dates and opposition but the venues are also comparatively manageable. The first three matches are to be on Honshu island with the final match in Kyushu. 570 km separate the venues of game’s one and two against Russia, and Scotland. Game three will require a short 200 km trip from Kobe to Toyota but will see the shortest turnaround.
The positioning of the match against Japan may come under criticism during the RWC. Samoa will have four rest days and be coming off the tough assignment against Scotland. The final match is to be a lengthily 760 km down to Fukuoka to face pool favorites Ireland.
| DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE |
| Tues, Sept 24 | Russia | Kumagaya Stadium, Kumagaya |
| Mon, Sept 30 | Scotland | Misaki Stadium, Kobe |
| Sat, Oct 5 | Japan | Toyota Stadium, Toyota |
| Sat, Oct 12 | Ireland | Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka |
PREDICTED TRAVELING 31
Forwards: Viliamu Afatia (Bordeaux, FR), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Français, FR), James Lay (Bristol, UK), Jordan Lay (Bristol, UK), Logovi’i Mulipola (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Seilala Lam (Perpignan, FR), Manu Leiataua (Perpignan, FR), Motu Matu’u (London Irish, UK), Kane Leaupepe (Hurricanes, NZ), Filo Paulo (London Irish, UK), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, FR), Chris Vui (Bristol, UK), Piula Fa’asalele (Perpignan, FR), TJ Ioane (London Irish, UK), Jack Lam (Bristol, UK), Faifili Levave (La Rochelle, FR), Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish, UK), Josh Tyrell (Doncaster Knights, UK)
Backs: Kahn Fotuali’i (Bath, UK), Melani Matavao (Asia Pacific Dragons, SG), D’Angelo Leuila (Papatoetoe, NZ), Tim Nanai-Williams (Clermont, FR), Tusi Pisi (Bristol Bears, UK), Rey Lee-Lo (Cardiff Blues, UK), Alapati Leiua (Bristol Bears, UK), Henry Taefu (Western Force, AU), Alofa Alofa (Harlequins, UK), Ed Fidow (Bordeaux, FR), Melani Nanai (Blues, NZ), Sinoti Sinoti (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Ahsee Tuala (Northampton Saints, UK)
PREDICTED MATCH-DAY 23
1 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Motu Matu’u, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 4 Joe Tekori, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Josh Tyrell, 7 Jack Lam (capt.), 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 10 Tim Nanai-Williams, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 12 Alapati Leiua, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 14 Melani Nanai, 15 Ahsee Tuala
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Viliamu Afatia, 19 Kane Leaupepe, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 Ed Fidow
Key Back: Rey Lee-Lo
Key Forward: Logovi’i Mulipola
Talisman: Joe Tekori
RWC 2019 PREDICTION
Samoa finished in fourth place of their pool in RWC 2015 which required the Pacific Islanders to qualify for RWC 2019. An unimpressive campaign against Fiji, and Tonga saw Samoa finishing the Oceania 1 qualifiers in bottom spot with one win and three losses.
As Oceania 3 Samoa were sent into a Cross-Regional Play-Off against Europe 2 side Germany. The home-and-away matches were won 66-15 in Apia and 42-28 in Heidelberg to see Samoa qualifying for Japan 2019.
Samoa’s qualification for RWC 2019 was far from straight forward. This is a reflection of the ongoing struggles Samoa has faced in the years since RWC 2015. Head Coach Stephen Betham would be replaced in late 2015 by Alama Ieremia. His time would not be long with Titi Taufua replacing him before him self being replaced by Steve Jackson.
On the field Samoa’s wins over this period have been few and far between. The highlights include a 25-23 win over Canada in 2016, and a 28-10 win over Spain in 2018. Losses have come not only against Tier 1 sides England, France, New Zealand, and Scotland but also Tier 2 sides Fiji, Georgia, Romania, Tonga, and the USA.
Samoa are expected to beat Russia in RWC 2019 but are likely to lose against Scotland, Japan, and Ireland. Based on these projected results Samoa would likely finish fourth in the pool to thereby be eliminated in the group stage.
Week 1 – Italy
Week 2 – Fiji
Week 3 – Japan
Week 4 – England
Week 5 – Namibia
Week 6 – Wales
Week 7 – Samoa
Week 8 – France
