Rugby World Cup: Samoans' smile muscles get serious workout

Manu Samoa's George Pisi happily poses for photographs with some of the 1000 fans who turned up at the team's practise. Photo / Natalie Slade

The Samoan Rugby World Cup side trained for two hours yesterday morning, but the most strenuous part of the day came after the workout as they struggled through a sea of blue supporters to the team bus.

The Samoans, who are in Auckland to play Fiji on Sunday, were visibly moved by the turnout at Western Springs Stadium, saying it was a good boost after the demoralising loss to Wales last week.

Their smiles, and wrists, were stretched for more than two hours after the training session as they waded through an endless line of autograph-hunters between the field and the changing sheds.

Around 1000 fans attended the practice, with their vehicles in the carpark competing with each other for the tallest flagpole and the most outrageous blue and red paint job.

Samoan fullback Paul Williams, son of All Black great Bryan Williams, said the support was overwhelming in Auckland, which has more Samoan residents than the country itself.

"We couldn't have hoped for more support, it feels like a home game for us," he said, signing an elderly woman's jersey and posing for a photo.

"The mood has changed a bit since [the loss to] Wales," he added, holding two blue-clad babies in each arm. "But we're looking forward to testing our skills against one of the best teams in the world [South Africa].

"They're a good side, but we can beat them," he said, finally pulled by security through a group of admiring girls.

Supporter Sam Latu, Samoan-born but now a resident of Manukau, said he hedged his bets by cheering for both his home country and the All Blacks.

"But if Samoa play New Zealand in the final, we'll be cheering for the Manu."

Another fan, Akeli Vaoga, said the loss to Wales had only made the tournament more exciting.

"We are progressing. We're getting stronger and stronger. And we're only looking forward."

One supporter relished the spectacle of 60,000 fans at Eden Park on Saturday for the Samoa-Fiji game, but was more sceptical about Samoa's chances against South Africa.

"I think it will be too hard... they're just too good."