The Samoa under-20 men's rugby team suffered a heavy loss to New Zealand in their opening match of the IRB Junior World Championship last night in Auckland.
The hosts beat Samoa 48-12, scoring seven tries to Samoa's two and led 22-7 at half-time.
The Samoa coach Lemalu Semo Sititi has rejected the idea that they expected to lose, and were targeting their next pool game against Scotland.
"We respect every team, we were targetting New Zealand, it just didn't come our way. Now with Scotland it's a must win game for us and then looking at South Africa, it's going to be hard too so player management is important for the next seven days."
Elsewhere Wales were too good for Fiji, winning 48-19, the reigning champions England thrashed Italy 63-3, France edged Ireland 19-13, and Australia saw off Argentina 36-17.
Earlier South Africa signalled their heavyweight credentials by thrashing Scotland 61-5.
