RWC history
Number of tournaments: 9
Best finish: Quarter-finals in 1991 and 1995.
Most points in a match: 60 vs Uruguay at RWC 2003 in Australia.
Biggest win: 47 points (60-13) vs Uruguay at RWC 2003 in Australia.

Did you know...?
Similar to the All Blacks, Samoa have their own challenge they lay down to opponents before a match, known as the Siva Tau.

Kit colour: Royal Blue and white.

Nickname: Manu Samoa

Known for: Courageous and hardworking in defence, Samoa also boasts a healthy serving of Polynesian flair and speed in attack.

Current form
World Ranking: 16
Form: LDLLL

Final Qualification Tournament Matches
8 November: Samoa v Brazil – The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
13 November: Samoa v Namibia - The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
18 November: Samoa v Belgium - The Sevens Stadium, Dubai

How did they qualify for the FQT?

Samoa (Qualified 27 September, 2025)
The proud Samoans have played in the last nine consecutive Rugby World Cups stretching right back to 1991, where they reached the quarter-finals on their RWC debut.

Samoa, find themselves in Dubai after under-performing at the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025. Samoa were drawn in Pool A with Fiji and Tonga and after losing both games and finishing third in the pool they matched up against USA, who finished third in Pool B behind Japan and Canada.

Japan and Fiji had already qualified for RWC 2027 thanks to their top three pool finishes at RWC 2023, which meant Tonga and Canada then qualified as Pacific 1 and 2 due to their respective second place finishes in Pool A and B respectively.

This meant one remaining RWC 2027 qualifying position was on offer as Pacific 3 to be decided in the match-up between USA and Samoa in Denver in September, and it was the Eagles who recorded their biggest ever winning margin over Samoa (16 points) in a 29-13 victory to qualify for Australia 2027.

The reverse meant Samoa would then have to face up to the runner-up in the Sudaméricano 2025, Chile, in the South America Pacific Play-off. Samoa found themselves down 25-8 in the first leg in Salt Lake City, Utah on 20 September before fighting back to snatch a thrilling tie 32-32.

However in the return leg in Vina del Mar in Chile a week later, Samoa were no match for the in-form home side going down 31-12 to complete a 63-44 aggregate defeat. This was Chile's first win over Samoa, and their first over any of the major Pacific Island nations. The victory meant Chile were bound for Australia 2027 while for Samoa their next stop, and last chance for RWC 2027 qualification, is Dubai.

Head Coach: Tusi Pisi
Appointed in April 2025 the current head coach of the Samoan men's national team is former Manu Samoan captain Lemalu Tusiata Pisi. Better known as Tusi Pisi, he was an assistant coach in the last two year's international windows, including the Pacific Nations Cup 2024 and Rugby World Cup 2023. Pisi boasts an impressive and distinguished playing career with 42 international caps, including three Rugby World Cup appearances. He began his Samoa head coaching tenure with a 41-12 reverse against Scotland at Eden Park in Auckland. This was then followed up with losses against Tonga, Fiji and USA in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025 before a draw and a loss against Chile in the South America Pacific Play-off for Rugby World Cup 2027. Pisi served as co-coach for Manu Samoa during their match against the Barbarians in 2021 and was appointed as backs and skills coach for Manu Samoa in preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2023. In 2024, he continued his role as Assistant Coach during the July Test Series and the Pacific Nations Cup. Before joining the Samoa coaching staff he was an assistant coach at Toyota Industries Shuttles Rugby Aichi, Japan, a role he held since 2021.

In brief
Samoa are a rugby nation with the highest pedigree and nine Rugby World Cup appearances to their name including two quarter final appearances. To say it is a surprise to see them in Dubai is something of an understatement.

Tusi Pisi’s side have quality a plenty running through their squad, full of players who have played the highest level across the globe but their current run of form has been disappointing, indeed Pisi has not won a match since coming in as head coach – the closest being the first match against Chile in the South America Pacific Play-off that ended in a 32-all draw.

To find the last time Samoa actually won an international you have to go back to over 12 months ago – September, 2024 – when they defeated USA in Japan.

Samoa are the highest ranked team in the FQT by some margin and on paper certainly have the strongest squad, but as we well know, rugby is a game played on grass.

Key player: Theo McFarland
Manu Samoa’s captain holds a very rare record as a dual international, being one of the very few athletes to represent his nation at both rugby and basketball. Born in Apia, Samoa the 30-year-old focused on basketball in his school days going on to represent his nation at 2018 FIBA Oceania Polynesian Tournament and the 2019 Pacific Games. That same year McFarland was approached by Samoan rugby legend Brian Lima, then head coach of Samoa sevens, to ask him to consider switching from basketball to rugby union. McFarland was tempted and after linking with Samoa sevens he signed for Saracens in England in 2021, where he has remained ever since making over 50 appearances and becoming a real fan favourite. The mobile flanker or lock made his international debut in July 2021, against the Māori All Blacks. He played every minute of his country's four games at RWC 2023, including a Player of the Match performance in the 43-10 victory over Chile. In 2024, McFarland was appointed as the new Samoa captain, and on his first match as skipper, he led his team to victory over Italy – Samoa's first win against a Six Nations or Rugby Championship team for nine years.

Legend: Peter “Fats” Fatialofa
World Rugby Hall of Fame Inductee No.146, a prouder individual never wore the Samoan jersey than the man affectionately known in rugby circles as “Fats”. The tough as teak prop led Samoa to one of the greatest moments in their history when they defeated Wales on their Rugby World Cup debut in 1991, shocking their hosts and the rest of the world with a 16-13 victory at Cardiff Arms Park no less! Under his leadership Western Samoa, as they were then known, went on to reach the quarter-finals and they did so again four years later in South Africa when he shared the captaincy with Pat Lam. A fun-loving character who lived life to the full, Fatialofa was a hugely influential role model for Polynesian players throughout the Islands. After retiring with 34 caps to his name, the gentle giant worked as a director of his family-owned piano and furniture moving business, and was coaching the Samoan women's team when he died suddenly of a heart attack, aged just 54, in November 2013.

Squad
In the words of Manu Samoa head coach Tusi Pisi: “In terms of player availability, we’re pleased to welcome back a strong core group of players who have been part of our journey over the past seasons, alongside some new faces who have impressed and earned their selection. That mix of experience and youth gives us balance, energy, and a lot of pride.”

So in terms of strength Samoa have gone strong, strong as they can, pulling in players from all over the globe, with squad members currently based in Japan, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Italy, and playing in competitions from Super Rugby to the English Premiership, Japan League One, Top 14, United Rugby Championship and Major League Rugby.

But with a squad drawn from so many parts of the world, the question is can Pisi get them to gel in time. “We arrive in Dubai during match week and play that same weekend,” the head coach acknowledges, “so putting the team together quickly will be vital. But our preparation has already started, the install of information, clarity around our systems, and communication with players has been ongoing before camp even begins. By the time we come together, everyone will already be aligned and ready to go.”

A couple of very interesting names to look out for are two players making their debut for the home nation after representing other leading rugby nations – prop Scott Sio, who previously represented Australia, and fly half Jacob Umaga, son of former Manu Samoa star Mike Umaga, who played one test for England back in 2021. Both qualify through birth-right after serving the designated three-year stand down period.

Another player with a famous father is Niko Jones, a flanker just like his father, legendary All Black Michael Jones, who earned 55 caps for the All Blacks between 1987 and 1998, including winning the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.

Forwards
Jarred Adams, Michael Alaalatoa, Michael Curry, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Titi Lamositele, Sama Malolo, Iakopo Mapu, Theodore McFarland ©, Alamanda Motuga, Abraham Papalii, Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, Millennium Sanerivi, Taleni Seu, Scott Sio, Luteru Tolai, Tietie Tuimauga

Backs
Latrell Ah Kiong, Joel Lam, Rodney Iona, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Vaafauese Apelu Maliko, Tumua Manu, Melani Nanai, Duncan Paia'aua, Faletoi Peni, Jonathan Taumateine, Tuna Tuitama, Connor Tupa’I, Jacob Umaga.

They say
"As the proverb says, 'the tree and the canoe are bound as one.' Together, we will carve our legacy with the same grit, faith, and fire that flows in the blood of our ancestors. To our players, supporters, and Sons of Samoa around the world-let us rise as one. Our journey continues." – Tusi Pisi, Samoa Head Coach.