Samoa, or Western Samoa as it was known until 1997, became the first Polynesian country to re-establish its independence in the last century when, in January 1962, it emerged from its New Zealand administered UN trusteeship.
The Samoa Rugby Football Union was formed in 1924, a year that saw them lose their first ever Test match 6-0 to Fiji in the capital Apia, but did not join the International Rugby Board until after the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Rugby, as in the other Pacific Islands, is a way of life for Samoans with 12 provincial unions made up of around 120 clubs and boasting nearly 5,000 senior and twice as many junior players in a country with a population of just under 175,000 people.
Samoa, which was introduced to rugby in the early 1900s by sailors, has enjoyed more success in the 15-man code than its fellow Islanders, its finest hour the shock defeat of Wales in Rugby World Cup 1991.
This small nation has provided many top class players to both rugby union and rugby league, and relies greatly on the naturally strong physical attributes of its people.