While Japan were busy producing a sporting upset to go down in history in their opening match, Samoa’s players were saying their nightly prayers. It was not until they had left church that they realised Pool B had been blown wide open.
Then came South Africa’s response. The Springboks sprung back with a 40-point victory over Samoa in their next match, perhaps an inevitable result given the ignominy of the previous week. Now the Pacific islanders play Japan in what their coach describes as a “do-or-die” game, one that could determine their fate at this World Cup, with both sides having won one match at present.
“It’s a World Cup and upsets happen,” said the Samoa coach, Stephen Betham. “I’m sure they [Japan] will be looking at doing the same to us. We’ve got to be on our guard and do what we need to do. It’s do or die for both teams, we know the situation they’re in and I’m sure they’re feeling what we’re feeling, I’m sure they’ll rise to the occasion this weekend. It’s backs against the walls now. You don’t have that second life which we had at the start.”
Such is the unexpected situation in a group that Scotland currently lead by three points going into this weekend’s fixtures. Samoa’s game against Japan at Milton Keynes on Saturday is now a must-win for both teams – both of whom have played the Boks and will fancy themselves to challenge for qualification – before Scotland play South Africa later in the day.
Three Samoans play domestically in Japan and another will move to the Top League after the tournament. Tusi Pisi of Suntory Sungoliath is one of those and returns to the side on Saturday at fly-half in one of five changes to Samoa’s starting XV. The veteran lock Kane Thompson returns from suspension to make his first appearance in the tournament while Johnny Leota comes in at inside-centre.
Whether Japan have already peaked at this World Cup is debatable, after being comprehensively beaten by Scotland following their opening heroics, albeit with a four-day turnaround. However, Pisi is expecting his club team-mates to rise to the occasion again.
“The whole mentality of the Japanese is to never give up and I think [coach] Eddie Jones has instilled that in the team. You can see that they play for the full 80 minutes, no matter if they’re down 20 or 30 points they will play for the full 80 minutes. We’ve just got to try and dominate and get the result,” said Pisi.
“They like to play the game at a tempo. South Africa and Samoa are two different beasts and we’ll be ready as best as we can. There’s about six or seven guys that play for the same club as me, quality players. It will be good to catch up with them after the game. Obviously there’s no respect for each other during the 80 minutes.”
A year has passed since Samoa’s very participation at this World Cup was up for discussion. Long-standing issues with their union regarding pay, selection and staff infrastructure culminated in a strike threat before the 2014 autumn international against England at Twickenham.
However, World Rugby has recently brokered a new deal between the Samoan union and the players which has improved their legal rights and created what seems a better structure.
The Northampton scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i said: “Going into this tournament it was positive that the players selected can just turn up and focus on rugby. All in all it’s pretty positive. Nothing has changed really from a player’s perspective. All we wanted to do was play. We have ex-players who have helped with that stuff off the field.”
On the challenge of facing Japan, he added: “We’ve done our homework but are focused on ourselves. We know we’ve got a really tough match coming up with Japan playing really well. We’ll be ready on Saturday.”
Samoa T Nanai-Williams; K Pisi, P Perez, J Leota, A Tuilagi; T Pisi, K Fotuali’i; S Taualofo, O Avei, C Johnston, T Paulo, K Thompson, O Treviranus (capt), TJ Ioane, F Levave. Replacements M Matu’u, V Afatia, A Perenise, J Lam, V Tuilagi, V Afemai, M Stanley, R Lee-Lo.
Japan A Goromaru; A Yamada, M Sau, H Tatekawa, K Matsushima; K Ono, F Tanaka; K Inagaki, S Horie, K Hatakeyama, L Thompson, H Ono, M Leitch (capt), M Broadhurst, RK Holani. Replacements T Kizu, M Mikami, H Yamashita, J Ives, A-L Mafi, H Tui, A Hiwasa, K Hesketh
