Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with less than a week until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at Samoa.
Samoa are one of the major benefactors of the changes in eligibility laws as they head to the World Cup with a beefed-up squad.
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They haven’t reached the quarter-finals in the 21st century but this looms as their best shot yet.
The presence of Christian Leali’ifano, Lima Sopoaga and Duncan Paia’aua adds real depth to the playmaking ranks that they arguably haven’t had in a long time.
Combine that with several players gaining crucial Super Rugby experience with Moana Pasifika and you have the makings of a team heading to France with nothing to lose and everything to gain
Qualified as ‘Oceania 1’ after winning 79-28 against Tonga in the playoffs
Samoa have flown under the radar in terms of their form revival in the past 18 months.
They claimed the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup with three straight wins, including one over Australia A.
The side struggled against Italy before rebounding with wins over Georgia and Romania.
The loss to Fiji will sting but their performances against Japan and Tonga show they have the talent to threaten at this World Cup.
They defeated the Barbarians before going down to Ireland to conclude their preparations.
European-based forwards Chris Vui and Michael Alaalatoa were named co-captains as Samoa on Sunday named three former All Blacks in their Rugby World Cup squad.
Bristol loose forward Vui and Leinster prop Alaalatoa were included in a 32-man squad for the tournament starting in France on September 9, with one player still to be confirmed.
Coach Seilala Mapuusa named three former New Zealand internationals -- fly-half Lima Sopoaga, flanker Steven Luatua and prop Charlie Faumuina -- while fly-half Christian Leali'ifano represented Australia at the 2019 World Cup.
Backs: Neria Foma'i, Alai D'Angelo Leuila, Nigel Ah Wong, Ben Lam, Ed Fidow, Tumua Manu, Danny Toala, Ulupano Junior Seuteni, Duncan Paia'aua, Lima Sopoaga, Christian Leali'ifano, Jonathan Taumateine, Ereatara Enari, Melani Matavao.
Forwards: Fritz Lee, So'otala Fa'aso'o, Jordan Taufua, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Fai'ilagi, Steven Luatua, Taleni Seu, Chris Vui (co-capt), Sam Slade, Theo McFarland, Brian Alainu'uese, Charlie Faumuina, Paul Alo-Emile, Michael Alaalatoa (co-capt), Jordan Lay, Seilala Lam, Sama Malolo, Luteru Tolai
Christian Leali’ifano has the necessary experience to get Samoa over the line in crucial moments.
Four years after guiding the Wallabies to the quarter-finals, Leali’ifano will look to do the same for his beloved Samoa after making the switch at the start of the year.
The 35-year-old’s form for Moana Pasifika proved that he can still perform at the highest level.
In what could be his last Internationals, Leali’ifano’s story is one to follow throughout the World Cup as the flyhalf looks to cause a couple of upsets
Miracle Fai’ilagi has benefited significantly from the introduction of Moana Pasifika to Super Rugby Pacific.
The young forward emerged as one of their brightest talents after his debut season, producing a player-of-the-match display in their win over the Waratahs.
He has elevated his game at the Test level, scoring during their win over Tonga in his debut start.
Fai’ilagi is the type of player Samoa and Moana Pasifika needed to build around for the future, with a tournament like this the perfect stage for the 23-year-old to shine
World Cup history
Played: 32
Wins: 13
Loses: 19
Best Performance: Quarter Finals (1991,1995)
Last Five World Cups
2019: Group Stages
2015: Group Stages
2011: Group Stages
2007: Group Stages
2003: Group Stages
Argentina should be the game Samoa target if they wish to be playing in the knockout stages.
The Samoans have shown they are at their best when they can drag teams into a physical battle, something which the Pumas will only oblige to.
They also historically have gotten the better of Argentina, winning three of their past four encounters
Fixtures
Sat Sep 16 (11:00 PM): Samoa v Chile, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Sat Sep 23 (1:45 AM): Argentina v Samoa, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Fri Sep 29 (5:00 AM): Japan v Samoa, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Sun Oct 8 (2:45 AM): England v Samoa, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
