Preview - Samoa v Uruguay

Depleted Samoans ready for impact

Rugby's brave new world may be all about the wealthy superstars of the game but spare a thought for the other contenders - the likes of the Samoans and Uruguayans - who come into this Rugby World Cup contest riding on nothing more than talent, pride and passion.

The pressure on these guys isn't about completing the full round of media interviews or fulfilling their product endorsement duties. In the case of the South Americans it's about winning some time off the boss, and - as is the case of the Samoans - performing at the highest level in the absence of some illustrious friends who couldn't afford to participate.

Call us old-fashioned, call us twee, but rugby's true hear beats more heavily under the jerseys of rugby's smaller nation than it does under the tight performance vests of the giants of the game, and sheer love of the game will be the overriding factor when these two countries meet for the first time in Perth on Wednesday.

Samoa go into their first game of the tournament as firm favourites but, with games against South Africa and England looming in the immediate distance, will struggle to progress through to the quarter-finals.

But it isn't the relative strengths of the England and the Springboks that will scupper Samoa's route - the Pacific Islanders have a fine history in the World Cup and boast the most naturally talented rugby players on Earth.

It is the lure of the rugby dollar that will affect their chances.

Top performers like London Wasps' Trevor Leota had to forgo the honour of player in Australia when he worked out that it would cost him £25,000 in lost earnings.

Top international sides need 30 class players in order to make a serious challenge and the interest of foreign clubs in Samoa's most talented leaves the team shy of that figure.

But, like their opponents, what they lack in player power they will make up with in passion.

Uruguay coach Diego Ormaechea, a race-horse vet by profession, cannot count on rugby thoroughbreds, but what Los Teros lack in experience they make up for in enthusiasm.

Uruguay were swept away by the Springboks 72-6 and will target a vastly-improved performance against Samoa and have made five changes to their starting line-up for the Pool C game at the Subiaco Oval.

Uruguay won't fancy their chances against the hard-men of Samoa but, whatever the result, expect rugby to be the winner of the day. Yes, another sickly cliché, but one that rings true.

Players to watch:

For Samoa: Utility back Brian Lima will begin his fourth World Cup with the same vigour that has accompanied him through the entirety of his fantastic career. Uruguayans be warned: Lima is nicknamed 'the chiropractor' because of his bone-crunching tackles.

For Uruguay: Fullback Juan Ramon Menchaca almost lost his job as a bottled water salesman when he asked his bosses for some leave to play a bit of rugby. An appeal from the national press saved him his job, but he was still made to work a notice period and missed the game against South Africa. Expect him to take out his frustrations on the Samoa's runners.

Head to head: South Americans pride themselves on male virility and Samoans are simply hard as nails, so expect the midfield to be the scene of some very heavy collisions with Uruguay skipper Diego Aguirre and Samoa's Terry Fanolua set to knock the stuffing out of one another.

Recent Results:
No previous results

Prediction: Samoa will have too much experience and too much drive for the Uruguayan part-timers. Expect them to drain the live out of Los Teros before hitting them with a bag of tries.
Zurich Computer Prediction: Samoa by 41 points.
Planet Rugby Prediction: Samoa by 35 points.

The teams:

Samoa: 15 Tanner Vili, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Terry Fanolua, 12 Brian Lima, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau; 10 Earl Va'a, 9 Steven So'oialo, 8 Semo Sititi (captain), 7 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 6 Peter Poulos, 5 Leo Lafaiali'i, 4 Opeta Palepoi, 3 Jeremy Tomuli, 2 John Meredith, 1 Kas Leallamanua.
Replacements: 16 Mahonai Schwalger, 17 Simon Lemalu, 18 Kitiona Viliamu, 19 Des Tuiavi'i, 20 Denning Tyrell, 21 Dale Rasmussen, 22 Dominic Feaunati.

Uruguay: 15 Juan Menchaca, 14 Carlos Baldasarri, 13 Diego Aguirre (captain), 12 Martin Mendaro, 11 Emiliano Ibarra; 10 Bernardo Amarillo, 9 Juan Campomar, 8 Rodrigo Capo, 7 Mercelo Guttierrez, 6 Nicolas Brignoni, 5 Juan Carlos Bado, 4 Juan Alzueta, 3 Pablo Lemoine, 2 Diego Lamelas, 1 Rodrigo Sanchez.
Replacements - from: Eduardo Berruti, Juan Andres Perez, Guillermo Storace, Nicolas Grille, Hernan Ponte, Bernardo Amarillo, Emiliano Caffera, Sebastian Aguirre, Joaqui Pastore, Alfonso Cardoso.

Kick-off: 20.00 local (13.00 BST, 12.00 GMT), Live in the UK on ITV2
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Conditions: Chances of a brief early shower then fine, partly cloudy, Maximum 20C, Minimum 8C
Referee: Dave McHugh (Ireland)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Andy Turner (South Africa)
TMO: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)