KEY POINTS:
APIA - Samoa are under no illusions about the task in front of them when they come up against the mighty Springboks in their first World Cup match.
They will also face England and a potentially tricky match against fellow Pacific island side Tonga, with the United States the only likely easy win.
If Samoa wants to progress beyond the pools, they can afford only one loss if they are to repeat their giant-killing feats of making the quarter-finals in 1991 and 1995.
Coach and legendary All Black flanker Michael Jones is determined, despite acknowledging the huge task in front of his side.
"I've always maintained that we're not going there to make up the numbers," said Jones.
"From my perspective as coach, we have got a lot of talent in the team and those players have to put their bodies on the line for their country.
"We may not possess the resources and money top teams like England and South Africa have but we've got a team of players who are ready to die for their country."
Jones was assistant coach to John Boe during the 2003 Rugby World Cup when Samoa nearly upset eventual champions England, leading well into the second half before a late onslaught saw them succumb 35-22.
The team also achieved a famous 16-13 win against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park in 1991 to make the quarter-finals.
Samoa has been the strongest Pacific islands team for the past four years and have proved more consistent than local rivals Fiji and Tonga.
In this year's Pacific Nations Cup, the Samoans predictably lost to the Junior All Blacks and Australia A despite good performances, beat Fiji and Japan in low scoring games and thrashed Tonga.
"A lot of work has gone into our preparations for the World Cup," Jones said. "The team we've got is a result of years of hard work, monitoring players all over the world."
The Samoan lineup features players plying their trade in the Heineken Cup, the Super 14 and other smaller competitions in Europe and France.
Three notable survivors from the last Rugby World Cup squad are captain Semo Sititi, Hurricanes winger Lome Fa'atau and "The Chiropractor", Brian Lima, who will play his record fifth world cup at the age of 35.
"We've tried to keep a balance of old and new players," Jones said.
"We've got a lot of young guys but at the same time we've kept some experienced players whom we know have proven they are able to lead in the past."
COACH
Michael Jones
"Iceman" became one of the most famous All Blacks of all in 55 Tests between 1987 and 1998. His athleticism, pace and ball skills set him apart and he was fittingly the first player to score a World Cup try when the tournament started in 1987.
But he played his first Test for his native Samoa in 1986 and it was to Samoan rugby he returned after his retirement as a player.
The quietly-spoken devout Christian has been a champion of Samoan and Pacific rugby, arguing that more money should be distributed by the international games' bosses to a region which produces so much talent.
KEY PLAYER
Alesana Tuilagi, winger
Dubbed Samoa's answer to Tongan-born former All Black star Jonah Lomu, Alesana Tuilagi has fast become a household name in northern hemisphere rugby, playing for Leicester Tigers.
Tuilagi, plucked from the Manu Samoa Sevens, traveled to Europe as a young boy and has quickly developed his array of skills alongside his brothers Henry and former Samoa star Freddie.
In France, the 26-year-old will be one of three Tuilagis featuring in the Samoan side. His younger brother Anitelea will be in the midfield with his older brother Henry anchoring the scrum.
- AFP
