Publications
Partners
Wellington - Samoa have not abandoned their traditional running style totally, but are focussed on winning as they meet world champions South Africa in a crucial Pool D clash on Friday.
WIN a pair of the new adidas rugby boots
Click to BUY the new Drifta Mobile USB Decoder
The match at North Harbour Stadium, the only game on Friday, should determine whether or not the Pacific Islanders advance with the Springboks into the knockout phase.
The Samoans need to beat South Africa and hope that Wales lose to Fiji on Sunday to qualify for the last eight and centre Seilala Mapusua said while they had not abandoned the flair that was at the heart of their style the match was too important to go out as losing crowd pleasers.
"It is a World Cup and these are one-off games where you can showcase your sport, where there is nothing to play for the week after," Mapusua told reporters in Auckland.
"While we are staying strong to our values, we are trying to progress in the tournament as far as we can."
Mapusua admitted fatigue was now playing a part in the tournament, given Samoa have had just a five-day turnaround from their bruising clash against Fiji at Eden Park.
"I think it (fatigue) is always a factor when it comes to the World Cup. When you play in the World Cup, your body will take a lot of battering. That's why you have 30-man squads.
"The boys have recovered well. All we can do is ask for another great effort."
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 John Smit, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Jean de Villiers.
Samoa:
15 Paul Williams, 14 David Lemi, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Taiasina Tuifua, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (captain), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Substitutes: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Ofisa Treviranus, 20 Filipo Lavea Levi, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 George Pisi.
