After a challenging week, Samoa want to salvage some pride in tomorrow's final Rugby World Cup Pool B game against Scotland.
Manu Samoa assistant coach Alama Ieremia. Photo: AFP
Last weekend's defeat to Japan ended the Manu's hopes of making the quarter finals.
In a further blow, vice-captain Alesana Tuilagi was banned for five weeks for striking a Japanese defender with his knee.
The suspension has been criticised by a host of ex-players, rugby commentators and fans, for what appeared nothing more than a poorly executed tackle, and the team admits they too were shocked by the decision.
Assistant coach Alama Ieremia said the team owed it to themselves and their supporters to give it everything in their final match.
"We're certainly playing for pride here and we've got to put in a performance the country is proud of. Last week wasn't acceptable and we've got to make sure that we give it all our best against Scotland.
"It's going to be a pretty important game for them but it's also a very important game for us as well, as far as pride and putting in a decent performance."
Samoa need to beat Scotland with a bonus point and hope Japan gain nothing against the United States to leapfrog the Asian side into third place and qualify for the 2019 World Cup.
