Samoa are on a mission

Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu was in England two years ago when a tsunami devastated his native Samoa.

Fortunately his family survived but he knew that the images he was seeing on television would leave an indelible mark on a tight-knit community.

"My parents went around to help and were one of the first there," Sapolu said. "They saw the babies, the dead bodies. It is a small country and everybody was affected - if it wasn't your immediate family, you knew someone. It was a real traumatising time for our people."

Friday marks the second anniversary of what scientists believe was a rare double earthquake measuring 8.0 and 7.9 in the Pacific.

The tsunami hit Samoa the hardest of all the Pacific Islands, with 150 dying on the main island of Upolu and forcing a total evacuation of the capital, Apia.

The anniversary won't be far from Samoa's thoughts when they face South Africa at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night.

Important motivation

"We think about that before every game," said Sapolu. "We think about that every day. That is part of our history,'' said Sapolu.

The natural disaster and the underdog tag will help fire them up against world champions South Africa, with coach Titimaea Tafua saying: "It is really important to us. It is a good motivation for our players."

And captain Mahonri Schwalger added: "Of course that is in the back of our minds. It's a big motivation for us to win the game for the people back home."

When the Samoa team left for RWC 2011, the highway to the airport was crowded with supporters and what was usually a 45-minute drive took more than two hours.

Ole Avei said he welled up as he watched Samoans give their rugby heroes a heartfelt send-off.

"It is great motivation. You want to win it for them,'' said Avei. "It is like paying back to them for what they went through."