Samoa at the Rugby World Cup
Western Samoa have played in every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Their omission from the inaugural tournament in 1987 was controversial, as there were no qualifications. Their worst World Cup was in 2007 and 2015 when they finished fourth in their pool.
Nation | Number of appearances | First appearance | Most recent appearance | Streak | Best result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Samoa | 8 | 1991 | 2019 | 8 | Quarter finals, 1991, 1995 |
By position
- 1987 Rugby World Cup Not invited
- 1991 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in quarter finals
- 1995 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in quarter finals
- 1999 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in quarter final playoffs
- 2003 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages
- 2007 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages
- 2011 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages
- 2015 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages
- 2019 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages
By match
1991 Rugby World Cup
Pool 3 matches –
Team |
P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 25 | 6 |
Western Samoa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 34 | 4 |
Wales | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 61 | 2 |
Argentina | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 83 | 0 |
6 October 1991 |
Wales | 13–16 | Western Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Emyr, Evans Con: Ring Pen: Ring |
Tries: Vaega, Vaifale Con: Vaea Pen: Vaea (2) |
13 October 1991 |
Argentina | 12–35 | Western Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Teran Con: Arbizu Pen: Laborde, Arbizu |
Tries: Tagaola (2), Lima (2), Bunce, Bachop Con: Vaea (4) Pen: Vaea |
Quarter final
19 October 1991 |
Scotland | 28–6 | Western Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Jeffrey (2), Stanger Con: Hastings (2) Pen: Hastings (4) |
Pen: Vaea Drop goals: Bachop |
1995 Rugby World Cup
Pool B games –
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 60 | 9 |
Western Samoa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 96 | 88 | 7 |
Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 69 | 94 | 5 |
Argentina | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 87 | 3 |
27 May 1995 |
Italy | 18–42 | Western Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Paolo Vaccari, Massimo Cuttitta Con: Diego Dominguez Pen: Diego Dominguez Drop: Diego Dominguez |
Report | Tries: Brian Lima (2), George Harder (2), Darren Kellett, Shem Tatupu Con: Darren Kellett (3) Pen: Darren Kellett (2) |
30 May 1995 |
Western Samoa | 32–26 | Argentina |
---|---|---|
Tries: Pat Lam, George Leaupepe, George Harder Con: Darren Kellett Pen: Darren Kellett (5) |
Tries: Penalty try, Rodrigo Crexell Con: José Cilley (2) Pen: José Cilley (4) |
4 June 1995 |
England | 44–22 | Western Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Rory Underwood (2), Neil Back Con: Jon Callard Pen: Jon Callard Drop: Mike Catt |
Tries: Fata Sini (2), Mike Umaga Con: Tupo Fa'amasino (2) Pen: Tupo Fa'amasino |
Quarter finals –
10 June 1995 |
South Africa | 42–14 | Western Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Chester Williams (4), Chris Rossouw, Mark Andrews Con: Gavin Johnson (3) Pen: Gavin Johnson (2) |
Tries: Shem Tatupu, Tu Nu'uali'itia Con: Tupo Fa'amasino (2) |
1999 Rugby World Cup
Qualified for quarter-finals |
Qualified for quarter-final play-offs |
Pool D games –
Team |
P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wales | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 71 | 7 |
Samoa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 97 | 72 | 7 |
Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 83 | 51 | 7 |
Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 140 | 3 |
3 October 1999 |
Samoa | 43–9 | Japan |
---|---|---|
Tries: Brian Lima (2), Afato So'oalo (2), Silao Leaega Con: Silao Leaega (3) Pen: Silao Leaega (4) |
Pen: Keiji Hirose (3) |
10 October 1999 |
Argentina | 32–16 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Alejandro Allub Pen: Gonzalo Quesada (8) Drop: Gonzalo Quesada |
Tries: Peter Paramore Con: Silao Leaega Pen: Silao Leaega (3) |
14 October 1999 |
Wales | 31–38 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Gareth Thomas, Penalty try (2) Con: Neil Jenkins (2) Pen: Neil Jenkins (4) |
Tries: Stephen Bachop (2), Lio Falaniko, Pat Lam, Silao Leaega Con: Silao Leaega Pen: Silao Leaega |
Quarter final playoffs –
20 October 1999 |
Scotland | 35–20 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Cameron Murray, Martin Leslie Con: Kenny Logan Pen: Kenny Logan (5) Drop:Gregor Townsend |
Tries: Brian Lima, Semo Sititi Con: Silao Leaega (2) Pen: Silao Leaega (2) |
2003 Rugby World Cup
Pool C matches –
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
England | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 255 | 47 | +208 | 3 | 19 |
South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 184 | 60 | +124 | 3 | 15 |
Samoa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 138 | 117 | +21 | 2 | 10 |
Uruguay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 56 | 255 | -199 | 0 | 4 |
Georgia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 46 | 200 | -154 | 0 | 0 |
15 October 2003 |
Samoa | 60–13 | Uruguay |
---|---|---|
Tries: Fa'asavalu (2), Lima (2), Tagicakibau, Fa'atau, Lemalu, Vili, Feaunati, Palepoi Con: Va'a (3), Vili (2) |
Tries: Capo, Lemoine Pen: Aguirre |
19 October 2003 |
Georgia | 9–46 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Pen: Jimsheladze (2) Drop: Jimsheladze |
Tries: Tagicakibau, Vaa'a, Sititi, So'oialo, Feaunati, Lima Con: Va'a (5) Pen: Va'a (2) |
26 October 2003 |
England | 35–22 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Back, Penalty try, Balshaw, Vickery Con: Wilkinson (3) Pen: Wilkinson (2) Drop: Wilkinson |
Tries: Sititi Con: Va'a Pen: Va'a (5) |
2007 Rugby World Cup
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 189 | 47 | +142 | 3 | 19 |
England | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 108 | 88 | +20 | 2 | 14 |
Tonga | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 89 | 96 | −7 | 1 | 9 |
Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 69 | 143 | −74 | 1 | 5 |
United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 61 | 142 | −81 | 1 | 1 |
9 September 2007 16:00 |
South Africa | 59–7 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: 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) |
16 September 2007 16:00 |
Samoa | 15–19 | 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' |
22 September 2007 16:00 |
England | 44–22 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: 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' |
2011 Rugby World Cup
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 166 | 24 | +142 | 2 | 18 |
Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 180 | 34 | +146 | 3 | 15 |
Samoa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 91 | 49 | +42 | 2 | 10 |
Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 59 | 167 | −108 | 1 | 5 |
Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 44 | 266 | −222 | 0 | 0 |
Pool D matches
14 September 2011 14:30 |
Samoa | 49–12 | 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) |
Man of the Match:
Touch judges:
|
18 September 2011 15:30 |
Wales | 17–10 | 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' |
|
|
Man of the Match:
Touch judges:
|
25 September 2011 15:30 |
Fiji | 7–27 | 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' |
|
|
Man of the Match:
Touch judges:
|
30 September 2011 20:30 |
South Africa | 13–5 | 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) |
|
|
Man of the Match:
Touch judges:
|
2015 Rugby World Cup
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 176 | 56 | +120 | 4 | 16 |
Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 136 | 93 | +43 | 2 | 14 |
Japan | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 98 | 100 | –2 | 0 | 12 |
Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 69 | 124 | –55 | 2 | 6 |
United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 50 | 156 | –106 | 0 | 0 |
20 September 2015 | Samoa | 25–16 | United States | Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton |
26 September 2015 | South Africa | 46–6 | Samoa | Villa Park, Birmingham |
3 October 2015 | Samoa | 5–26 | Japan | Stadium mk, Milton Keynes |
10 October 2015 | Samoa | 33–36 | Scotland | St. James' Park, Newcastle |
2019 Rugby World Cup
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Japan | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 115 | 62 | +53 | 3 | 19 |
Ireland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 121 | 27 | +94 | 4 | 16 |
Scotland | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 119 | 55 | +64 | 3 | 11 |
Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 58 | 128 | –70 | 1 | 5 |
Russia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 160 | –141 | 0 | 0 |
24 September 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
Russia | 9–34 | 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' |
30 September 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Scotland | 34–0 | 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 |
5 October 2019 19:30 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Japan | 38–19 | 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' |
Hosting
So far Western 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.
References
- Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1860746020)
- Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)