Samoa coach Pat Lam has backed to Wales to respond to their shock defeat on Friday with an improved performance against New Zealand.
Wales' loss against Samoa was their fifth consecutive defeat, coming less than seven days after they were beaten by Argentina.
Warren Gatland is due to return to the coaching staff on Monday and Lam believes that with expectations now significantly lowered, Wales have nothing to lose.
"No-one is going to give them (Wales) a chance whatsoever next week, and rightly so, because New Zealand are number one and Wales have lost the last few games," said Lam.
"But that is the challenge of rugby and sport. You are up against it, but you never write off any team."
Samoa's victory in Cardiff was their latest success in the Welsh capital, following up famous victories in 1991 and 1999 and highlighting the talent available in the Samoan squad.
"This is really special for us. I talked to the boys about 1991 and how we opened the gate to international rugby for Samoan rugby back then, and to present the jerseys to the players on Thursday night was very emotional for me.
"I think everyone in the past talked about us taking Wales by surprise when we beat them.
"But they lost last week to Argentina, and there was no reason for them not to be up for it. It was an important game for them, so it is pretty special for us to win like we did."
"Samoa is not a team about fame and fortune, it's not about money. Boys, given where they are based in the world, actually lose money when they come to play for Samoa. We are a people's team.
"We showed the boys a video of all the people back home in Samoa, and all the little kids, during our build-up, and it was quite emotional. It just reminded everyone of who we are."
Comments
jontheref says...
fraserpark
Howley was the coach in Aus.
Gatland had broken ankles.
Blame Howlers.
Posted 08:46 19th November 2012
fraserpark says...
when wales toured austraila in june i didnt like what i saw no killer instinct wins fritted away players happy to get close now the rot has set in gatland is not the great coach everone makes out he is
Posted 02:08 19th November 2012
Isograford says...
Yup, there's no doubt the Welsh side of this week will turn up and put in a much improved performance. If they can't fire themselves up for the All Blacks they never will. I'm sure Gatland being there will see a much better performance from the Welsh.
Posted 20:03 18th November 2012
vaizpatu2011 says...
Samoas Technical Advisor.
And Lam is a son of Samoa. So no harm done.
Posted 19:03 18th November 2012
Manusamoa says...
He's not the Coach, thought hes just a adviser...
Am i right?
Posted 12:01 18th November 2012
georgesmith says...
Who cares about what P. Lam says. He is among the hopeless coaches in the world. The Blues rightly sacked him and now he is trying to destroy Samoa. Why didn't he want to help Samoa before. PR should interview credible people, please.
Posted 09:33 18th November 2012
jmanngod says...
Back home in Auckland is that Pat?
Posted 16:13 17th November 2012