A rugby-obsessed nation which has produced so many great players, Samoa will aim to upset some more fancied teams in Australia.

A disappointing Pacific Nations Cup 2025 tournament left Samoa scrambling to reach Australia 2027, but they eventually secured qualification in the Final Qualification Tournament.

A rugby-obsessed nation which has produced so many greats, Samoa have not always been able to assemble their strongest squad between Rugby World Cups. But when the big dance rolls around and club commitments are less intense, expect the A-listers based overseas to be available.

Samoa may also call upon experienced internationals via World Rugby’s birthright transfer policy. Scott Sio, the 74-cap Australia prop and son of Manu Samoa legend Tavita, made the switch in 2025.

Building an identity and cohesion in a relatively short timeframe will be coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi’s greatest challenge.

Players to watch

Theo McFarland

A former international basketballer and debt collector who grew up playing rugby with a bottle full of banana leaves for lack of a ball, McFarland has mesmerising dexterity melded to a giant frame, as a versatile second-row or back-row forward.

Wowed English Prem audiences with his skill and athleticism in six seasons at Saracens, playing a key part in a league title triumph in 2023. Took on the Samoa captaincy in 2025 and led his team to Rugby World Cup qualification. Should link to great effect with barnstorming Moana Pasifika flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi.

Jacob Umaga

Born and raised in England but with Samoan blood coursing through his veins. His father, Mike, wore the blue jersey at RWC 1995 and RWC 1999 while uncle Fa’alogo Tana Umaga became an All Blacks totem and coach of Moana Pasifika before joining Dave Rennie’s New Zealand staff.

Umaga Jnr emerged as a strong-running fly-half at Wasps, scoring in a Prem final and winning his only England cap in 2021. After serving a three-year stand-down period, the Benetton pivot became eligible to represent Samoa. Made his debut in 2025 and will be a key, experienced orchestrator for his side.

Jonathan Taumateine

A box-office scrum-half with a striking mullet inspired by Japanese anime. Scored a captivating solo try against Chile at RWC 2023, plucking a McFarland offload and leaping into the air beyond despairing tacklers.

Has represented the Chiefs and Hurricanes in Super Rugby, spending the past five seasons at Moana Pasifika. His game management as much as his flair will be a precious fillip.

RWC icon

Rugby players don’t earn the moniker ‘The Chiropractor’ lightly and Brian Lima’s uncompromising style and granite-hewn shoulders made him one of the game’s most feared defenders, whether deployed at centre or on the wing.

He became the first man to play in five Rugby World Cups across a 17-year international career. Was the youngest player at the tournament when Manu Samoa made history in RWC 1991, and was still terrifying ball-carriers at France 2007, aged 35.

Lima’s immense tackle on South Africa’s Derrick Hougaard in a 2003 pool match is regarded as one of the best in Rugby World Cup history. Holds his country’s record for caps and tries.

RWC cult hero

A host of Samoan icons to choose from, among them the late Peter Fatialofa, Semo Sititi, Pat Lam and Va’aiga Tuigamala. But Henry Tuilagi was part of the most famous family in rugby union, one of six muscle-bound brothers who played at the highest level.

Though the back-row won just 10 caps and played in only one Rugby World Cup, his impact was indelible. At 1.85m and weighing close to 140kg, Tuilagi laid waste to defences in 2007.

His bullocking charges, carting would-be tacklers on his back, are enduring images from the competition. Gnarled Springbok forwards have since admitted facing Tuilagi was the only time they felt scared on a rugby pitch.

Retired in 2015 at Perpignan, where his 145kg son now plays. Posolo Tuilagi will hope to continue his father’s legacy as part of the France squad in Australia.

Head coach 

Former fly-half Lemalu Tusi Pisi is his country’s record points scorer and took over the reins in mid-2025. Like the Tuilagis, part of a renowned clutch of siblings who played for their country, with brothers Ken and George well respected in Europe after stints at Northampton Saints.

Pisi was assistant to Samoa’s two previous head coaches, Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua and Mahonri Schwalger, so brings a level of stability and familiarity to the top job, while naturally putting his own stamp on the team’s style of play.

Most memorable match

Wales 13-16 Western Samoa, RWC 1991

Samoa have played some stupendous Rugby World Cup rugby, giving eventual champions England a huge fright in 2003 and repeating the feat against South Africa in 2007 in credible defeats.

Their greatest day, though, was seized by the trailblazers of 1991. At their first Rugby World Cup, playing under the name of Western Samoa, they arrived in the UK unknown and unfancied. Captained by the indomitable Fatialofa, they boasted such talents as Lam, Timo Tagaloa and future All Blacks great Frank Bunce.

Western Samoa’s free-running style and monumental strength stupefied Wales in their own Cardiff backyard, prompting the infamous quip, ‘thank goodness we weren’t playing the whole of Samoa’. Victory paved the way to the quarter-finals, where Scotland had their number, but these heroes remain the benchmark for their country at Rugby World Cups.

Pool journey

3 October, 2027 v Japan (Newcastle│Awabakal-Worimi)
9 October v USA (Perth│Boorloo)
17 October v France (Sydney│Gadigal)

Did you know…? 

Before their inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1991, the Samoan squad embarked on a ‘wheelbarrow run’ to raise funds for their trip. Players pushed the barrow from village to village, while rugby-loving residents threw in what change they could spare.

Some even donated livestock, tossing chickens into the barrow. “It wasn’t so much about the cash because most families didn’t have cash in hand,” said former scrum-half Matt Vaea. "It was about seeing the boys, the pride, meeting your Manu Samoa heroes."

RWC history: 

Quarter-finals (2) – 1991, 1995 
Quarter-final play-off (1) – 1999
Pool stage (6) – 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023

How they qualified for RWC 2027

After finishing last in the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 and then losing the South America/Pacific two-leg play-off with Chile, Samoa had to come through the Final Qualification Tournament.

After bonus-point wins over Brazil and Namibia, they survived a nerve-jangling draw against Belgium to claim the last seat at the RWC 2027 table, by virtue of earning one more bonus point than Belgium.

Key stats

Samoa have the unwanted record of holding the biggest half-time lead in a Men’s Rugby World Cup game but going on to lose, suffering a 32-16 defeat by Argentina in 1999 after leading 16-3 at the interval.

Samoa have won the most Rugby World Cup matches (14) of any country from outside the Six Nations or Rugby Championship teams.

RWC Fast facts 

• RWC debut: 1991
• RWC best finish: Quarter-finals (1991, 1995)
• Most RWC appearances: Brian Lima (18)
• Top RWC try scorer: Brian Lima (10)
• Top RWC points scorer: Earl Va’a (172)