Wales are still reeling from the shock of Saturday’s defeat to Argentina and the last thing interim coach Rob Howley would have wanted is the sight of bogey-side Samoa looming large on the horizon.
The big-hitting South Sea Islanders already have a win on Welsh soil under the belt this week after cruising past Canada 42-13 at Colwyn Bay on Friday.
But despite their contrasting fortunes, Samoa expect a fierce response at the Millennium Stadium as Wales bid to put their Dove Men Series campaign back on track.
“Wales will reflect on that day but you cannot judge a team on one performance and we know just how well they have played in the past year,” said Samoa coach Stephen Betham.
“Their game was pretty flat and I’m sure they will be coming out firing this week so we will have to be on our toes to bear the brunt of that.
“We expected Wales to come out on top but Argentina showed if you are ready and if you really want it, it’s anyone’s game on the day.
“We do not see this as being able to take any advantage of a Welsh wobble. We see it more as Wales not letting their guard down any more and I am sure they learnt quite a bit over the weekend. We know we are in for a game.”
Samoa have three previous victories over Wales – including a 38-31 victory at the Millennium Stadium in the 1999 World Cup – though Warren Gatland’s men edged out a 17-10 win in Hamilton last year on their way to the semi-finals in New Zealand.
“We have ten of the team that played for us at the Waikato Stadium as well as five more who did not get on the pitch that day but played later on against South Africa,” added Betham.
“They will all bring a lot of experience into this game. We also have youth coming through and everything we do now is planning for 2015 so we will try and get that experience through to the new breed and those who will take over the reins.
“Wales still have the same firepower as when we played them at the World Cup and on the back of the Six Nations they have grown in confidence as a team and work well as a unit so it will be hard to break them down.
“Before heading for our northern hemisphere tour, our goal was to improve our IRB rankings and we have to do what needs to be done to achieve that goal.
“On Friday night it will be the first time for most of the boys to play under a roof and it will suit us a bit better not having a wet ball but we know it is going to be a daunting task but we have to get on with the job.”
Samoa also include former rugby league star Setaimata Sa, a target for London Irish, and have unearthed a potential new talent in 20-year-old wing Robert Lilomaiava, who lit up North Wales with four tries on his debut against Canada on Friday night.
“The biggest positive from the win against Canada on Friday night was the opportunity to get some fluency among the squad and various combinations between players,” added Betham.
“We had a two-day camp in Surrey when we tried to put everything together and then another few days leading into the Canadian game but basically we have got 30 players from 30 clubs so it was a struggle at first.”
Samoan captain David Lemi hopes to prove his fitness to lead his country against Wales.
“For us to move forward with the aim of doing well at the next World Cup we have to up the levels against teams like Wales and the Tier 1 nations,” added Lemi.
“We are just concentrating on what we can do and are training with that in mind and look forward to Friday night’s game.
“It was a pleasing performance against Canada as it is hard to get a team with so many players from so many different environments together and produce a good display but Wales will much tougher.
“They have tremendous experience from a team who won the Six Nations and a Grand Slam. I think they are stronger than when we played them at the World Cup and reaching the semi-finals was really massive for Welsh rugby and then winning the Six Nations shows a massive improvement over the seasons before that.
“Millennium Stadium has a great atmosphere and that will be great experience for our young talent to get that experience.”
