Samoa have history on their side
Samoa said they would draw huge confidence from past World Cup upsets of Wales as they bid for another shock in this weekend’s vital Pool D clash.
Vice captain Seilala Mapusua admitted Samoa took inspiration from their twin World Cup stunners: a 16-13 victory in 1991 in Cardiff before they returned for a repeat performance eight years later.
“We can take a little bit of inspiration from it – actually, we can take a lot,” Mapusua said. “We know that the guys before us have done it, but we’re a different team and so’s the Welsh team.
“But knowing that a small nation can perform on the big stage and it has been done in the past does give the boys motivation and inspiration to go out and do our best,” he added.
Mapusua said the 1991 game, when he was aged 11, prompted joyous scenes in the family home in New Zealand when centre To’o Vaega’s try put the debutants on course for the quarterfinals.
“Growing up To’o Vaega was one of my idols as a youngster and seeing him score that try, I remember being really excited as a Samoan kid in New Zealand and watching Samoa in the World Cup for the first time,” he said.
“It was quite a special moment in our whole house. I always remember seeing my parents being so proud to be Samoan. Hopefully I can give them a repeat of that day.”
The heroics resonate down the years for Samoa, with 1991 captain Peter Fatialofa presenting the team shirts before their opening victory over Namibia, and a 20-year reunion of the 1991 team organised for this weekend.
“We had Peter Fatialofa come in and present our jerseys for the Namibia game,” Mapusua said. “That was pretty special, getting your jersey presented by a legend of the game and someone who’s been on the stage and accomplished the things that he has.
“They’re having a 20-year reunion this weekend so hopefully we’ll be able to catch up with a few of them. It will be pretty special if I get a chance to talk to To’o Vaega before the game, that would be the icing on the cake for me.”
Sunday’s game in Hamilton is shaping as decisive for Wales after their narrow defeat to South Africa, with another loss likely to rule them out of the quarterfinals.
SAPA-AP
