RWC 2027 Draw - SAM reaction (Lemalu) - RWC 2027 Draw

Lemalu Tusiata Pisi, head coach

On being drawn with France, Japan and USA:

"The teams in our group all have a rich history of rugby and of playing at the World Cup, and we're just really grateful to be a part of it."

On pushing England close at Rugby World Cup 2023:

"The World Cup is always full of upsets and I was part of that game as a member of the coaching stuff. You need to have belief that you can go out there and win, no matter who you are playing."

On Samoa's targets:

"The knockout stage at the very least, absolutely. And once you get to the knockouts anything can happen, so that's the target."

On former England centre Manu Tuilagi possibly playing for Samoa at RWC 2027:

"It's going to be about who is playing well at the time - it's not just about big-name players - then who is available to train every day. That's the only way to create combinations."

On playing in Australia, where the Pacific Island nations will have big support:

"The environment should suit us, conditions... we've just seen our rugby league teams play a couple of games in Australia and we saw the support they got. I'm sure it will be the same for us."

On the other teams in their group:

"Obviously we played USA and we lost to them. They're tracking really well. Japan are playing really well - they beat Georgia at home in November, that is not an easy feat. They're developing really well as well, so it's going to be an exciting pool."

On Samoa bringing their own flavour to RWC 2027:

"It's all about preparation, making sure our best players are available, not just in the lead-up to the World Cup but in these crucial campaigns before the build-up, where we can build combinations. This is what is going to be important for us."