Samoa at the Rugby World Cup

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Map of nations best results, excluding nations which unsuccessfully participated in qualifying tournaments. Rugby world cup countries best results and hosts rev1.png
Map of nations best results, excluding nations which unsuccessfully participated in qualifying tournaments.
Samoa performing their Siva Tau before playing South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup Samoan Siva Tau.jpg
Samoa performing their Siva Tau before playing South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup

Samoa (known as Western Samoa until 1997) have played in every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. Their omission from the inaugural tournament in 1987 was controversial, as there were no qualifications. Their worst World Cups were in 2007, 2015 and 2019 when they finished fourth in their pool.

Contents

NationNumber of appearancesFirst appearanceMost recent appearanceStreakBest result
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 9199120199Quarter finals, 1991, 1995

By position

Rugby World Cup record Qualification
YearRoundPldWDLPFPASquadHead coachPosPldWDLPFPA
Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of Australia (converted).svg 1987 Not invitedNot invited
Flag of England.svg Flag of France.svg IRFU flag.svg Flag of Scotland.svg Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1991 Quarter-finals42026072 Squad P. Schuster 1st330012321
Flag of South Africa.svg 1995 Quarter-finals4202110130 Squad Automatically qualified
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1999 Quarter-final play-offs4202117107 Squad B. Williams 3rd31025971
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2003 Pool stage4202138117 Squad J. Boe 2nd43019658
Flag of France.svg 2007 Pool stage420269143 Squad M. Jones 1st430113378
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2011 Pool stage42029149 Squad T. Tafua 1st220018819
Flag of England.svg 2015 Pool stage410369124 Squad S. Betham Automatically qualified
Flag of Japan.svg 2019 Pool stage410358128 Squad S. Jackson 3rd630319647
Flag of France.svg 2023 Pool stage41039275 Squad S. Mapusua 1st22007928
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2027 To be determinedTo be determined
Flag of the United States.svg 2031
Total3615021804977241707874422
 Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth placeHome venue

By match

1991 Rugby World Cup

Pool 3 matches –

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 33007925+546
Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa 32015434+204
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 31023261292
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 30033883450
Source: [ citation needed ]
6 October 1991
Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg13–16Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa
Try: Emyr
Evans
Con: Ring
Pen: Ring
Try: Vaega
Vaifale
Con: Vaea
Pen: Vaea (2)
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Referee: Patrick Robin (France)

9 October 1991
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg9–3Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa
Pen: Lynagh (3)Pen: Vaea
Pontypool Park, Pontypool
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)

13 October 1991
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg12–35Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa
Try: Teran
Con: Arbizu
Pen: Laborde
Arbizu
Try: Tagaola (2)
Lima (2)
Bunce
Bachop
Con: Vaea (4)
Pen: Vaea
Sardis Road, Pontypridd
Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland)

Quarter final

19 October 1991
Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg28–6Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa
Try: Jeffrey (2)
Stanger
Con: Hastings (2)
Pen: Hastings (4)
Pen: Vaea
Drop: Bachop
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales)

1995 Rugby World Cup

Pool B games –

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
Flag of England.svg  England 33009560+359
Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa 32019688+87
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 31026994255
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 30036987183
Source: [ citation needed ]
27 May 1995
Italy  Flag of Italy.svg18–42Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa
Try: Vaccari
Cuttitta
Con: Dominguez
Pen: Dominguez
Drop: Dominguez
Report Try: Lima (2)
Harder (2)
Kellett
Tatupu
Con: Kellett (3)
Pen: Kellett (2)
Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Joel Dume (France)

30 May 1995
Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa 32–26Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
Try: Lam
Leaupepe
Harder
Con: Kellett
Pen: Kellett (5)
Try: Penalty try
Crexell
Con: Cilley (2)
Pen: Cilley (4)
Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Dave Bishop (New Zealand)

4 June 1995
England  Flag of England.svg44–22Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa
Try: Underwood (2)
Back
Con: Callard
Pen: Callard
Drop: Catt
Try: Sini (2)
Umaga
Con: Fa'amasino (2)
Pen: Fa'amasino
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Patrick Robin (France)

Quarter-finals –

10 June 1995
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg42–14Flag of Samoa.svg  Western Samoa
Try: Williams (4)
Rossouw
Andrews
Con: Johnson (3)
Pen: Johnson (2)
Try: Tatupu
Nu'uali'itia
Con: Fa'amasino (2)
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Attendance: 52,000
Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland)

1999 Rugby World Cup

Qualified for quarter-finals
Qualified for quarter-final play-offs

Pool D games –

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 320111871+477
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 32019772+257
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 32018351+327
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3003361401043
Source: [ citation needed ]
3 October 1999
Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg43–9Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Try: Lima (2)
So'oalo (2)
Leaega
Con: Leaega (3)
Pen: Leaega (4)
Pen: Hirose (3)
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)

10 October 1999
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg32–16Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Allub
Pen: Quesada (8)
Drop: Quesada
Try: Paramore
Con: Leaega
Pen: Leaega (3)
Stradey Park, Llanelli
Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

14 October 1999
Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg31–38Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Thomas
Penalty try (2)
Con: Jenkins (2)
Pen: Jenkins (4)
Try: Bachop (2)
Falaniko
Lam
Leaega
Con: Leaega
Pen: Leaega
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)

Quarter-final playoffs

20 October 1999
Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg35–20Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Murray
Leslie
Con: Logan
Pen: Logan (5)
Drop: Townsend
Try: Lima
Sititi
Con: Leaega (2)
Pen: Leaega (2)
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 67,000
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

2003 Rugby World Cup

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsQualification
Flag of England.svg  England 440025547+208319 Quarter-finals
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 430118460+124315
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 4202138117+21210
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 41035625519904
Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg  Georgia 40044620015400
Source: [ citation needed ]
15 October 2003
Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg60–13Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Try: Fa'asavalu (2)
Lima (2)
Tagicakibau
Fa'atau
Lemalu
Vili
Fe'aunati
Palepoi
Con: Va'a (3)
Vili (2)
Try: Capo
Lemoine
Pen: Aguirre
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 22,020
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

19 October 2003
Georgia  Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg9–46Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Pen: Jimsheladze (2)
Drop: Jimsheladze
Try: Tagicakibau
Va'a
Sititi
So'oialo
Fe'aunati
Lima
Con: Va'a (5)
Pen: Va'a (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 21,507
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

26 October 2003
England  Flag of England.svg35–22Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Back
Penalty try
Balshaw
Vickery
Con: Wilkinson (3)
Pen: Wilkinson (2)
Drop: Wilkinson
Try: Sititi
Con: Va'a
Pen: Va'a (5)
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Attendance: 50,647
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

1 November 2003
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg60–10Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Van Niekerk
Muller
Hougaard
Smith
Willemse
Fourie
Van der Westhuyzen
De Kock
Con: Hougaard (5)
Koen (2)
Pen: Hougaard
Drop: Hougaard
Try: Palepoi
Con: Va'a
Pen: Va'a
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 48,496
Referee: Chris White (England)

2007 Rugby World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPtsQualification
1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 440018947+142319Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup
2Flag of England.svg  England 430110888+20214
3Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 42028996719Eliminated, automatic qualification for 2011 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 4103691437415
5Flag of the United States.svg  United States 4004611428111
Source: [ citation needed ]
9 September 2007
16:00
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg59–7Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Habana (4) 33' m, 56' c, 66' c, 76' m
Montgomery (2) 40+' c, 53' m
Fourie 47' c
JP Pietersen 80+' c
Con: Montgomery (5/8)
Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 3', 10', 15'
Report Try: Williams 18' c
Con: Williams (1/1)
Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 46,575
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

16 September 2007
16:00
Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg15–19Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Pen: Williams (5/6) 6', 21', 23', 29', 69' Report Try: Taione 60' c
Con: Hola (1/1)
Pen: Hola (4/5) 3', 38', 47', 67'
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 24,128
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

22 September 2007
16:00
England  Flag of England.svg44–22Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Corry (2) 2' c, 76' c
Sackey (2) 32' c, 80+' m
Con: Wilkinson (3/4)
Pen: Wilkinson (4/6) 15', 22', 33', 72'
Drop: Wilkinson (2/3) 6', 69'
Report Try: Polu 47' c
Con: Crichton (1/1)
Pen: Crichton (5/5) 9', 12', 38', 40+, 42'
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 37,022
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

26 September 2007
20:00
Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg25–21Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Try: Fa'atau 5' m
Tuilagi 9' c
Thompson 37' c
Con: Crichton (2/3)
Pen: Crichton (2/2) 30', 72'
Report Try: Ngwenya 53' c
Stanfill 79' m
Con: Hercus (1/2)
Pen: Hercus (3/4) 32', 65', 75'
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Attendance: 34,124
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

2011 Rugby World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 440016624+14221218Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
2Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 430118034+14623315
3Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 42029149+429210Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 410359167108715
5Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 400444266222500
Source: [ citation needed ]

Pool D matches

14 September 2011
14:30
Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg49–12Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
Try: Fotuali'i 1' c
Tuilagi (3) 17' c, 35' m, 55' c
Williams 59' c
Penalty try 70' c
Con: T. Pisi (2/2)
Williams (2/3)
Pen: T. Pisi (2/2) 10', 24'
Williams (1/1) 53'
Report Try: van Wyk 63' m
Kotzé 79' c
Con: Kotzé (1/2)
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Attendance: 12,752
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

18 September 2011
15:30
Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg17–10Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Williams 67' m
Pen: Hook (2/3) 12', 27'
Priestland (2/2) 43', 66'
Report Try: Perenise 40+' c
Con: Williams (1/1)
Pen: Williams (1/3) 21'
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 30,804
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

25 September 2011
15:30
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg7–27Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Talei 67' c
Con: Luveniyali (1/1)
Report Try: Fotuali'i 62' m
Stowers 70' c
Con: Williams (1/1)
Pen: Pisi (4/6) 6', 10', 27', 45'
Drop: Pisi (1/2) 12'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 60,327
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

30 September 2011
20:30
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg13–5Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Habana 9' c
Con: M. Steyn (1/1)
Pen: F. Steyn (1/3) 25'
M. Steyn (1/2) 27'
Drop: M. Steyn (0/1)
Report Try: Stowers 51' m
Con: T. Pisi (0/1)
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 29,734
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

2015 Rugby World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 430117656+12023416Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
2Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 430113693+4314214
3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 43019810029012Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 41036912455726
5Flag of the United States.svg  United States 400450156106500
Source: [ citation needed ]
20 September 2015 Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg25–16Flag of the United States.svg  United States Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton
26 September 2015 South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg46–6Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa Villa Park, Birmingham
3 October 2015 Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg5–26Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Stadium mk, Milton Keynes
10 October 2015 Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg33–36Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland St. James' Park, Newcastle

2019 Rugby World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 440011562+5313319Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 430112127+9418416
3Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 420211955+6416311Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 41035812870815
5Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 400419160141100
Source: [ citation needed ]
24 September 2019
19:15 JST (UTC+09)
Russia  Flag of Russia.svg9–34Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa (1 BP)
Pen: Kushnarev (2/2) 19', 26'
Drop: Kushnarev (1/1) 48'
Report Try: Leiua (2) 16' m, 80' m
Amosa 45' m
Fidow (2) 49' c, 53' c
Lee-Lo 63' m
Con: Pisi (2/5) 50', 54'
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Attendance: 22,564
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

30 September 2019
19:15 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg34–0Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Maitland 30' c
Laidlaw 34' c
Penalty try (2) 57', 75'
Con: Laidlaw (2/2) 31', 36'
Pen: Laidlaw (1/1) 9'
Drop: Hogg (1/1) 38'
Report
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Attendance: 27,586
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

5 October 2019
19:30 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Japan  Flag of Japan.svg38–19Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Lafaele 28' c
Himeno 53' c
Fukuoka 76' m
Matsushima 80+5' c
Con: Tamura (3/4) 29', 55', 80+7'
Pen: Tamura (4/5) 3', 8', 24', 51'
Report Try: Taefu 73' c
Con: Taefu (1/1) 74'
Pen: Taefu (4/5) 10', 15', 34', 45'
City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Attendance: 39,695
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

12 October 2019
19:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Ireland  IRFU flag.svg47–5Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Best 4' c
Furlong 10' c
Sexton (2) 21' c, 39' m
Larmour 48' c
Stander 65' c
Conway 70' c
Con: Sexton (4/5) 5', 11', 23', 50
Carbery (2/2) 67', 72'
Report Try: J. Lam 26' m
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka
Attendance: 17,967
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

2023 Rugby World Cup

16 September 2023
15:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg43–10Flag of Chile.svg  Chile
Try: Paia'aua 40+1' c
Taumateine 42' m
Lee 47' m
Malolo (2) 52' c, 80+1' c
Con: Leali'ifano (2/4) 40+2', 53'
Sopoaga (1/1) 80+2'
Pen: Leali'ifano (4/4) 4', 10', 14', 36'
Report Try: Dittus 6' c
Con: Videla (1/1) 7'
Pen: Garafulic (1/1) 30'
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Attendance: 39,291
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) [1]
22 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg19–10Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Boffelli 9' c
Con: Boffelli (1/1) 10'
Pen: Boffelli (3/4) 25', 34', 54'
Sánchez (1/1) 80'
Report Try: Malolo 75' c
Con: Leuila (1/1) 75'
Pen: Leali'ifano (1/3) 28'
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Attendance: 38,358
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) [1]
28 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg28–22Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa (1 BP)
Try: Labuschagné 13' c
Leitch 32' c
Himeno 48' m
Con: Matsuda (2/3) 15', 33'
Pen: Matsuda (3/3) 28', 56', 75'
Report Try: S. Lam 38' m
Paia'aua 65' c
Leali'ifano 78' c
Con: Leali'ifano (2/3) 66', 79'
Pen: Leuila (1/2) 25'
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 31,794
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) [1]
7 October 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
England  Flag of England.svg18–17Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa (1 BP)
Try: Chessum 9' m
Care 73' c
Con: Farrell (1/2) 74'
Pen: Farrell (2/3) 18', 58'
Report Try: Ah Wong (2) 22' c, 29' c
Con: Sopoaga (2/2) 24', 30'
Pen: Sopoaga (1/2) 48'
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Attendance: 47,891
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) [1]
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTABPtsQualification
1Flag of England.svg  England 440015039+111173218Advance to knockout stage, and
qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
2Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 430112769+58155214
3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 4202109107+2121419Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 41039275+1711737
5Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 40042721518843000
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers

Hosting

Samoa has not hosted any World Cup games, and has not put in bids for future tournaments. Due to the lack of facilities, and the small size of the island nation, it is unlikely it will do so in the future.

Portrayal on screen

Samoa can be seen playing South Africa in the feature film Invictus based on the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.