Samoa pay price as they keep Namibia winless

Samoa are counting the cost of their 49-12 victory over Namibia after two key players were injured in a rugged Pool D match in Rotorua on Wednesday.

Fly half Tusi Pisi (left hamstring) and blindside flanker Taiasina Tuifua (rib) were forced off the field after 30 minutes against a Namibian side who remain winless after 13 Rugby World Cup matches.

Samoa coach Titimaea Tafua said it was too early to assess the damage, but he will be especially concerned for Pisi, a left-foot kicker who had bagged 10 points before leaving the field.

"The medical people are still working on it," said Tafua, who rested several key players in the second half to avoid any more serious injuries.

"We'll know more tonight. I do hope it's not serious."

Tafua and his players will have their fingers crossed as they have just four days to prepare for a crunch match against Wales in Hamilton which is likely to decide who progresses to the quarter-finals.

Destructive best

Human wrecking ball Alesana Tuilagi was at his destructive best against Namibia, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu and man-of-the-match George Stowers were strong in the forwards.

The official media guide lists Leicester Tigers wing Tuilagi at 111kg but in an ominous revelation for the Welsh, Samoa backs coach Brian 'Aussie' McLean said he was, in fact, much bigger.

"I wouldn't like to be standing in front of him when he's in full cry," McLean said about Tuilagi, who has now scored an impressive 15 tries in 23 Test matches.

"I saw someone in the paper say he's 110kg but he's actually 121. He was unfit when we played Australia (in mid July) and he was 126. He's quite a sight when he's in full flight."

Samoa started with the same XV that pulled off their remarkable upset over the Wallabies in Sydney on July 17, and the match went to script when scrum half Kahn Fotuali'i opened the scoring after just 49 seconds.

Carnival atmosphere

The Pacific Islanders led 25-0 at half-time, and it was no surprise when they eased off a little in the second half as Tafua rested his star players and the boisterous 12,752-strong crowd started the Mexican wave.

Namibia struggled badly in the lineouts and scrums as the physical Samoans imposed their stamp on the match, played in windy conditions in a mid-week carnival atmosphere.

"They pride themselves on being really physical," said Namibia captain Jacques Burger, who was outstanding at openside flanker in a losing side.

"We tried to play a safe game against them but they outclassed us today and showed why they're a world-class team."

Samoa full back Paul Williams, son of All Blacks legend Bryan, was sin-binned for a high tackle just before half-time which McLean said, after watching the replay, did not even warrant a penalty.

But Williams made amends when he scored a soft try in the 56th minute to put Samoa 42-0 ahead.

Burger admitted it was difficult stopping the go-forward approach of the Samoans, who packed plenty of size in both the forwards and their electric backline.

"I'd like to see their diets from a young age, I'm keen on getting some of that," Burger said.

"They're big boys and they run hard."