By Staff Writer
The heartbreaking sight of a proud player walking off the paddock wiping away the sweat and tears of defeat, sums up the ‘leai se tatou’ hopes, left for the Manu Samoa in the Rugby World Cup.
Literally translated, the ‘nothing for us’ reaction of anguish, follows the Japan 28-22 shock upset victory of the Manu Samoa.
Both teams were playing their second to last matches of the pool round.
Manu Samoa held the winning odds before kickoff after a win over Japan in an earlier warm up encounter.
The win at the Stadium de Toulouse in France was the second defeat of the Manu Samoa to Japan, at a World Rugby Cup.
The first was at the 2019 World Cup with a convincing 38-19 winning margin at the group stage.
Coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua, accepted the loss after his players were reduced to 14 in the second half, while behind on points
“I couldn’t have asked for more. But it’s tough playing a game against 15 men and to be down a man, with the red card,” Vaovasamanaia was quoted by the world media coverage of the loss.
“Japan exploited the advantage and they got the win.”
Samoa plays England next to wrap it up officially for the tournament, unable to continue on to the quarter finals knockout round.
Undefeated England is already assured one of the two spots for the quarterfinals on total points count with Japan and Argentina to decide the final spot in their pool game decider next.
Manu Samoa is the heavy underdog against England and a loss will make the 2023 Rugby World Cup experience for Samoa a forgettable one.
A win against the English side, however, could spark a host of proud celebrations for Samoa to remember the 2023 rugby world showpiece tournament.
England would be etched into Samoa’s proudest winning moments of World Rugby Cubs, next to the defeat of Wales in the 1991 historic Cup upset.
Toppling the English will also boost the Manu Samoa chances of a third placing in the pool round to automatically qualify for the next World Cup.
If the Manu Samoa manages to do all that by handing England their first loss of the tournament, the historic home celebrations should fit well under the proud banner of ; ‘Samoa’s Saving Grace Rugby World Cup 2023’.
This time instead of ‘leai se tatou’ the call will be ‘oso le mea’ or ‘we’re on’.