Despite the expansion of the World Cup to 24 teams for RWC 2027, Samoa now run a serious risk of not qualifying for the tournament in Australia, which would be an extraordinary indictment as to the governance of the game worldwide and lack of proper investment in what should be a powerhouse nation among the second-ranking teams.

A badly understrength Samoa lost 31-12 to Chile in the second leg of their South America/Pacific play-off at Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mer last weekend to lose the two-legged encounter 63-44, and they now find themselves in the final play-off competition in Duba...