By DAVID LEGGAT
They might not seem the most likely of bedfellows, but there was no doubting the sincerity as rival captains Semo Setiti and Corne Krige explained their post-game prayer huddle at Suncorp Stadium.
The Samoan and South African players, having spent 80 minutes banging spots off each other, swapped
jerseys and knelt in a minute's prayer before the Samoans saluted the crowd for the final time at this cup and the South Africans set their sights on the quarter-final against the All Blacks in Melbourne.
The action drew generous applause from a packed ground.
The teams have got to know each other in the past year, with Samoa playing a test in Pretoria last year and making a short pre-cup tour of the Republic this year.
"We discussed it with Corne. We wanted to thank God for the kindness and blessings bestowed on us," Setiti said.
"We are both religious countries and we have good relations with the South African team.
"They've been great to us and the South African union have helped us a lot."
Rugged flanker Krige responded in kind.
"We've known all along they are a very religious side so it was a great opportunity to get together with them.
"They are very humble guys."
