World ranking: 9.
Coach: Bryan Williams. One of the great New Zealand wings, Williams involvement with Samoa goes back to their World Cup debut in 1991. Officially appointed coach in 1996 he has helped to propel the South Sea Islanders to the quarter-finals at the last two World Cups. His coaching style incorporates the 15 man game and he demands that the first option is to use rather than kick the ball. Strong coach with a proven track record that includes victory over Ireland at Lansdowne Road.
Tactical turn: Kamikaze style tackling makes the Samoans robably the most feared opposition in the world game. They relish physical contact and like nothing more than putting in thunderous tackles. Often preoccupied by the physical, they have a tendency to seek out tackles rather than exploit the space. Strong and direct the team contains several outstanding players, both in the pack and behind the scrum.
Star turn: Pat Lam. One of the most physically punishing flankers in the modern game. Central to Newcastle's victory in the Premiership last season he is now forging an equally impressive reputation with Northampton. Powerful with the ball in hand, he is also a superbly skillful player with a voracious work-rate. Can play No.8 but is likely to start on the flank with London Irish's Zac Feaunati in the middle of the backrow.
Verdict: Find themselves in a very competitive group alongside Wales, Japan and Argentina. Lacklustre in qualifying they have lost to both Fiji and Japan this season as well as being thrashed by the All Blacks. Expect them to be considerably better and finish runner-up to the Welsh. This would give them a quarter-final against Scotland at Murrayfield and the latter won't relish that. A win here though would bring them up against All Blacks so pre-quarter-final or quarter-final proper appears to be the limit of realistic expectations.
Finals Thoughts: ["]It's a wonderful and great occasion for Samoa to be exposed to international rugby. The game has gone global and we would certainly like to be part of that globalisation.["] Peter Schuster (Team manager, Western Samoa).
