Samoa Faces USA in Crucial Rugby World Cup Qualifier Clash

The upcoming match between Manu Samoa and the USA Eagles is a critical moment in the race for qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. This game, set to take place on Monday at 6:35 AM New Zealand time at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver, will determine whether Samoa can secure a direct spot in the tournament or face additional qualifying rounds.

With only three spots remaining for the expanded World Cup, Samoa’s situation is precarious. Their Pacific island counterparts, Fiji and Tonga, have already qualified, with Fiji earning their place by finishing in the top eight at the recent 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Tonga secured their qualification after defeating Samoa 29-15 last weekend, a result that left Samoa at the bottom of Pool A.

Qualification Stakes and Match Preview

In this decisive match, Samoa must win to guarantee their flight to Australia in 2027. The loser will drop into the Pacific 4 category and face Chile in a two-match series, the first of which is scheduled for September 20, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah, before a return fixture on September 27, 2023, in Viña del Mar, Chile. The victor of that matchup will secure the final qualification spot, while the losing team will join Belgium, Namibia, and either Brazil or Paraguay in the final repechage tournament.

Historically, Samoa holds the advantage in their encounters with the USA, winning six of the eight matches played between the teams. Their most recent victory came during last year’s tournament in Japan. World Rugby has emphasized the significance of this match for both teams, noting that Samoa aims to maintain their streak of participation in every World Cup since 1991, while the USA is eager to qualify after missing out on the 2023 tournament.

Pressure mounts on USA head coach Scott Lawrence following his team’s fifth consecutive defeat in the Pacific Nations Cup, the worst losing streak for the Eagles in this competition. Despite the challenges, both Lawrence and first-time captain Jason Damm expressed optimism about their performance in the loss to Japan last weekend, highlighting improvements in execution and team synergy.

Team Lineups and Key Players

Samoa’s match-day 23 includes notable players such as captain Michael Alaalatoa and prominent backs like Henry Taefu and Lolagi Visinia. The full lineup is as follows: 1 Aki Seiuli, 2 Luteru Tolai, 3 Alaalatoa, 4 Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, 5 Michael Curry, 6 Olajuwon Noa, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 8 Iakopo Mapu, 9 Connor Tupa’i, 10 Rodney Iona, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 12 Taefu, 13 Melani Nanai, 14 Elisapeta Alofipo, 15 Visinia; Bench: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Marco Fepulea’i, 19 Potu Leavasa, 20 Abraham Papali’i, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Thomasi Alosio.

The USA’s squad features key players such as captain Jason Damm and the experienced Ruben de Haas. Their lineup includes: 1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Kapeli Pifeleti, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Damm, 6 Viliami Helu, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Paddy Ryan, 9 de Haas, 10 Chris Hilsenbeck, 11 Toby Fricker, 12 Tommaso Boni, 13 Dominic Besag, 14 Rufus McLean, 15 Mitch Wilson; Bench: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Maliu Niuafe, 19 Tevita Naqali, 20 Christian Poidevin, 21 Ethan McVeigh, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Erich Storti.

Meanwhile, in another match, Tonga is set to face Japan at 9:35 AM New Zealand time on the same day. Tonga’s head coach, Tevita Tuifu’a, mentioned that injuries to key players will affect their lineup, but they aim to use this match to assess their preparation for future competitions. Japan remains a strong contender, having already secured victories against both Canada and the USA.

This weekend’s matches not only highlight the competitive spirit of Pacific rugby but also the importance of qualification for the global stage, with teams vying for limited spots in the prestigious Rugby World Cup.