While Samoan spirits have been dampened by those injury and disciplinary issues, Scotland's morale was nearly crushed by Ireland.
The Scots produced the most disappointing performance by a Tier One nation at the tournament so far when they were drubbed 27-3 by their Six Nations rivals in Yokohama. Ireland's forwards bullied a meek Scotland to set up the convincing win.
It led to three days of soul-searching in the Scottish camp and the added pressure of a stinging reaction by fans and media back home. Scotland's players must snap out of it because there's no time to stew on Ireland with the challenges ahead: Samoa, Russia and then host Japan in their final Pool A game, which could well decide who goes through to the quarter-finals. Ireland must now be forgotten.
"The aftermath wasn't very nice," Scotland flanker John Barclay said. "The first couple of days were pretty crap. You analyse it, over-analyse it and go over it and over it again. It's something we don't take lightly.
"We're not going to sit in our hotel rooms and cry for a week. We can't do that. So, we've been out exploring. We're here at a World Cup, it's a great opportunity, and we've got another opportunity on Monday against Samoa."
They should brace, also, for a typically bruising challenge from Samoa, which went a little over the top against Russia. Lee-Lo and Matu'u were both yellow-carded within two minutes of each other for dangerous high tackles on Russia captain Vasily Artemyev, who managed to get up after both.
Scotland scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw said the referee in Kobe, Pascal Gauzere of France, should be prepared to dish out red cards if Samoa keeps dishing out high tackles.
High, dangerous tackles have made news in Japan after the first week of games. Australia's Reece Hodge was the first player banned for one, there were the two from the Samoans, England's Piers Francis has been cited for one, and American flanker John Quill was sent off for one, the only red of the tournament so far.
The dangers are obvious. Fiji flanker Peceli Yato sustained a concussion and left the field after Hodge's shoulder-led hit to his head in the Australia-Fiji game in Sapporo. Yato said he momentarily blacked out after the tackle and has been suffering from headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
On the two Samoan tackles on Russia's Artemyev, Laidlaw said: "They were two clear head shots and pretty brutal ones at that."
Laidlaw said he thought they should have been red cards.
"Ultimately you are looking for the ref to look after players."
Samoa has another shot at Scotland at the Rugby World Cup after they met in the last tournament, and the Scots escaped with a 36-33 pool-stage win.
As England coach Eddie Jones and others have noted, the second-tier teams are "playing for their lives" at the Rugby World Cup, the only time they get such broad international exposure. Samoa hasn't made the quarterfinals since 1995.
"We talk about putting Samoa back on the map in the World Cup," Samoa winger Alapati Leiua said.
- AP
Match details: Monday 30 September, 11:15pm, Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Squads
Scotland
15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Greig Laidlaw, 8. Blade Thomson, 7. Jamie Ritchie, 6. Magnus Bradbury, 5. Jonny Gray, 4. Grant Gilchrist, 3. Willem Nel, 2. Stuart McInally (capt.), 1. Allan Dell
Reserves:
16. Fraser Brownm 17. Gordon Reid, 18. Zander Fagerson, 19. Scott Cummings, 20. Ryan Wilson, 21. George Horne, 22. Adam Hastings, 23. Duncan Taylor
Samoa
15. Tim Nanai-Williams, 14. Belgium Tuatagaloa, 13. Alapati Leiua, 12. Henry Taefu, 11. Ed Fidow, 10. Tusi Pisi, 9. Melani Matavao, 8. Jack Lam (capt.), 7. TJ Ioane, 6. Chris Vui, 5. Kane Le'aupepe, 4. Teofilo Paulo, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 2. Ray Niuia 1. Logovii Mulipola
Reserves:
16. Seilala Lam, 17. Paul Alo-Emile, 18. Jordan Lay, 19. Piula Faasalele, 20. Josh Tyrell, 21. Pele Cowley, 22. Ulupano Seuteni, 23. Kieron Fonotia
How to watch:
The Herald will have live updates of the match from 11:00pm. Spark Sport coverage starts at 10:45pm. Kickoff is at 11:15pm.
Head-to-head:
Played: Scotland and Samoa have played 11 times, with Scotland taking nine wins, with one win to Samoa and one draw.
Last match: Scotland won 44-38 in November 2017.
Prediction: Scotland by 18.
Group standings
Love your rugby? Subscribe now to NZ Herald Premium for unlimited access to premium content, including our exclusive, first-class rugby coverage. Check out our special rugby offer here
