Boks must be wary of Samoa

 

Samoa pushed the number one ranked team in the world all the way to the final whistle and it was Dan Carter's goal kicking that saved the All Blacks at the end of the day.

 

"You kept coming at us and I just take my hat off to you." McCaw said.

 

"I am not sure words now can actually justify the type of match it was but I will say to the Manu Samoan team the way you played, that's what true Test match rugby is about … you kept coming at us.

 

"Going forward into upcoming matches and the World Cup, perform like that and you'll get better. I know you are going to be a force to be reckoned with."

 

Samoa have always been a public favourite at World Cups for their bone-crunching tackles and attacking flair however have not made it passed the group stages since the 1999 World Cup where they were defeated by Scotland in the quarterfinal. 

 

After their tough pool draw in 2011 Samoa have a more favourable group in 2015 where they will meet South Africa, Scotland, United States of America and Japan, and based on current world rankings Samoa are the highest positioned team in the Group B (10) after the Springboks (2).

 

One of Samoa's problems in the past has always been drawing their players from around the world and thus having an inadequate preparation for the global showpiece.

 

Under the guidance of Stephen Betham though they have had a more sustained build-up to the tournament with the Pacific Nations Cup.

 

Samoa then face the USA, Canada and Fiji in the six-team tournament which also includes Japan and Tonga, to build their combinations.

 

For the All Blacks the Test was the first of a five-match build-up before they name a 31-man squad for their World Cup defence.

 

"It's the start of a big campaign. We'll remember this one and move on but there is some work to do isn't there," captain Richie McCaw said, acknowledging All Blacks' frailties had been exposed by a good Samoan team.