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CARDIFF - A dreadful England are in danger of being knocked out of the rugby World Cup before the playoffs with a confident Samoan outfit lying in wait.
England must rebound from this weekend's nightmare 36-0 whitewash by South Africa in a third bruising match in a row against Samoa next Sunday.
The 2003 World Cup champions must beat the Samoans in Nantes to qualify for a quarterfinal berth, probably against the winner of Australia-Wales.
Former Manu Samoa coach John Boe, who took them to the brink of a major upset of England in Melbourne four years ago, today said the Pacific Islanders could pull off one of the great World Cup upsets.
"They definitely can, especially with the way they play and given the way they almost beat them last time," said Gold Coast-based Boe.
"I think it's an exciting time ... and wouldn't it be wonderful for world rugby for one of the minnows to beat a world power?"
While Samoa were overpowered 59-7 by South Africa in their opening round, they were more impressive than the one-dimensional English.
England, who fell behind 13-0 early, stuck to their grinding game plan which played into the hands of the physical and more skillful Springboks.
Boe, who also coached the Pacific Island Alliance in 2004, felt England's terrible display following their below-par 28-10 win over USA would have the Samoans smelling blood.
"They didn't play at all well and hardly fired a shot," he said.
"That will give a real shot to their self belief and with the Manu guys once they get a bit of confidence they're very hard to stop."
Hard-tackling Samoa led England until the 66th minute in the corresponding pool match in 2003.
Boe said the current squad was as good "on paper" and had been bolstered by the availability of former Chiefs utility back Loki Crichton, now playing for Worcester in England.
All Blacks great Michael Jones, Boe's assistant in 2003, has taken the reins.
Boe believed Jones was doing a good job in a difficult position where often the best Samoan players are not available due to pressure from their European clubs.
- AAP
