Samoa claimed third place in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 with a tense 18-13 victory over USA at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday.
Manu Samoa head coach Mahonri Schwalger has delivered a dose of confidence to his team who suffered a 22-point loss at the hands of Japan.
Fans were lined up outside the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium before the gates had even opened on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Tokyo
The gates to Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium were yet to open when fans started to arrive in numbers to watch Japan take on Samoa.
Manu Samoa are up against the Pacific Nations Cup playoff hosts in Tokyo and have named a side eager to take that challenge in their stride.
Samoa extended their 44-year unbeaten home record against Tonga in Apia to 20 matches with a 43-17 win that keeps their hopes of a fifth Pacific Nations Cup title alive.
Head coach Mahonri Schwalger has made six personnel changes and one positional to last weekend's starting XV as Samoa look to sign off their centennial celebrations as a test-playing nation with a victory against Tonga.
Fiji have recorded a statement 42-16 win over rivals Samoa to start their Pacific Nations Cup campaign under coach Mick Byrne.
Samoa player ratings versus Fiji in the opening match of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024, from HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.