Samoa - Manu Samoa - Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Photo: World Rugby
Manu Samoa is preparing to tackle Chile in the second 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier this weekend after the first leg in Salt Lake City ended in a 32-all draw.
Team manager Su'a Hesed Ieremia said from Vina del Mar on Friday morning that getting a win behind the "enemy lines" will be sweet, adding Chile will not be an easy team to beat at home.
"Chile is very enthusiastic and patriotic country as well and playing in their backyard is not easy," he said.
"We might have taken the hard road, and pretty much got our backs against the wall, and there's no other way out but just to move forward.
"We've given up two opportunities before, and this is another exciting opportunity and to go for a victory behind enemy lines.
"No greater feeling if we do get this across the line."
Captain Michael Aalalato'a has left the team as he was wanted back by his Clermont club in the French Top 14 competition.
Samoa was already without winger Tuna Tuitama and flanker Feleni Tau, who were both suspended following red cards in previous matches.
Other players had family commitments, and Su'a said injury has meant some of their best players are unavailable.
"Preparations are going well given the remaining group that we have," he said.
"The unavailability of players is not new to Samoa or the Pacific. It's been ongoing for many years.
"This year, they started the three international windows in July, in which the Pacific Nations Cup usually was held, so, it's created more issues in terms of players in the NPC in New Zealand, and the unavailability of other players worldwide.
"Given our player depth that we have, it's always a struggle, and it's always a challenge that we face every year, but it's not an excuse, per se.
"On the positive side, it's always an opportunity for new, upcoming players to develop and stamp their mark and step up in terms of donning the Manu Samoa jersey."
Along with Alaalatoa, players who have since returned to join their respective clubs are Henry Taefu, Iakopo Mapu and Marco Fepuleai.
Out because of injury are Melani Matavao, Aki Seuili, Joel Lam and Luteru Tolai.
Others who have also become unavailable are Malaesaili Elato (bereavement), Rodney Ioana (paternity) and Christian Leali'ifano.
Club contracts important
Su'a said while there is a World Rugby endorsed regulation nine law, that stipulates national duty takes precedence over club contracts on approved test windows, team management understands the importance of the "bread and butter" issue for the players.
"Part of the income is to honour the contracts that they have professionally as well, so, we can't put this on the players," he said.
"It's nobody's fault, pretty much. It's just how the system is working these days, and there's a clash of, obviously, the international window and the clubs, in which our core players are currently being selected for.
"That's what we want for all our players, to be taken care of professionally. And in saying that, you know, it's sad in the sense that this is the qualifying year for Rugby World Cup, 2027."
Su'a said players who have stepped up have grown over the last two months and those available will continue the campaign against Chile on Sunday morning, Samoa time.
"Whoever wears the jersey on that day, that particular moment and time, those are the best representatives Samoa has at that very time, so no one plays second fiddle to each other.
"This is a united effort that we do as a team, but we've come down this path, obviously, one more game to go. Winner takes all against Chile."
Su'a said there is excitement in camp as the players focus on the task at hand.
He said trying to qualify for the world cup is nothing new to Samoa and "the boys are excited for the opportunity"; and the players who have been called in, and put their hands up, have made a "commitment and sacrifice".
"Most have given up their jobs as well, and some of contracts just to be here and get the team across the line."
Leaders
With Aalalato'a unavailable to lead the team, head coach Leamanu Tisi Pisi and management have asked for the remaining senior players to step up.
Su'a said the need for replacements will also see some new players adding to the list of debutantes who have made the national team in the Pacific Nations Cup series.
"We have some senior members in the team that's there to carry on the transitioning and the tradition of the Manu and there have been players that have been called up, and we'll have some debutantes.
"This year, in the beginning of the test window, in July, we had 11 debutantes against Scotland and the list increases. So it's a rebuilding phase as well for us.
"No one's disheartened, as I said, there's excitement in the camp. We're all keen and eager to get out there and put our best foot forward when the day comes."
With Alaalato'a absent, head coach Tusi Pisi has elected to go for co-captains, naming the team's most experienced player - 14-cap lock Benjamin Pewtaia Nee-Nee and flanker Alamanda Motuga to take up the role.
Five changes have been made in total to the XV that took to the field for last week's 32-32 draw against Los Condores.
Thanks to the fans
Su'a said fans should unite with the team and said Manu Samoa is grateful to Fijian, Tongan and Samoan supporters who have sent best wishes to the team.
"Vinaka vakalevu and malo aupito for all the words of encouragement and messages that have come through," he said.
"And in saying that, I want to congratulate the Flying Fijians as well as the Ikale Tahi from Tonga for qualifying [for the 2027 World Cup] from our region. We're trying our best to join the brothers in another cycle of the Rugby World Cup year 2027 in Australia.
"To all the brothers and sisters in the Pacific, thank you for your prayers and all the support that you've shown."
Whoever wins this weekend's clash will secure a ticket to the 2027 world cup.
The loser drops to the final qualification tournament in Dubai in November, alongside Belgium, Namibia and either Brazil or Paraguay.
Manu Samoa meets Chile at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar at 8.30am Samoa time and 7.30am New Zealand time on Sunday.
The Manu Samoa match-day 23 to play Chile: 1. Jarred Adams, 2. Pita Anae Ah Sue, 3. Bradley So'o Amituanai, 4.Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee (CC), 5. Michael Curry, 6. Olajuwon Noa, 7. Alamanda Motuga (CC), 8. Abraham Papali'i, 9. Connor Tupa'i, 10. Martini Talapusi, 11. Latrell Ah Kiong, 12. Theodore Steffany, 13. Melani Nanai, 14. Tomasi Alosio,
15. Lolagi Visinia; Bench: 16. Ray Niuia, 17, Ivan Fepulea'i*, 18. Herman Huch*, 19. Potu Leavasa, 20. Jonah Mau'u, 21. Rilloy Suesue*, 22. Afa Moleli, 23. Elisapeta Alofipo.
*Test debut.
