World Cup face-off between Wales and Samoa

Alesana Tuilagi's hat-trick against Namibia on Wednesday makes him the principal weapon in Samoa's arsenal when they face arch-rivals Wales tomorrow. Photo / Stephen Parker

If Pool D really is the Group of Death, then Wales are facing execution, just nine days after the start of the cup.

Ready to lower the guillotine are their World Cup nemesis, Samoa.

In a fascinating weekend of fixtures, none has as much intrigue as tomorrow afternoon's Hamilton clash. A Wales loss would leave them needing a raft of improbabilities for them to progress into the quarter-finals.

Coach Warren Gatland has shown how seriously he rates the Samoan challenge by naming his strongest XV for the second match running. With Samoa, South Africa and Fiji lined up against him in Pool D, there is little room for R&R.

Prop Gethin Jenkins, who is nearing full fitness, takes the place of Ryan Bevington on the bench in the only change to the 22 who faced South Africa.

Samoa, on shorter rest (against much weaker foes, it must be noted), have made one change to their starting line-up. Ofisa Treviranus comes off the bench to replace Taiasina Tuifua at blindside. Joining the reserves is uncapped Jeremy Sua.

It will take a huge effort for Manu Samoa to repeat the heroics of 1991 and 1999, and not just because they have endured a four-day turnaround, the bane of a tier-two coach's life.

It is not so much that this Samoan team is not as strong, but the fact that Wales look a whole lot more functional.

Against South Africa they showed a real commitment to a game plan and never panicked when they fell behind early.

They might have been mocked for a lack of belief that allowed South Africa to come back late, but that is bunkum.

It was not belief that let them down, just an errant drop kick after the forwards had done everything right, and a penalty that slewed right.

The notion that they can't win the big games because failure is now rooted in their DNA might have some merit, but on this occasion it was skill, not will, that let them down.

Samoa fullback Paul Williams, the victim of a ludicrous yellow card in their win against Namibia, recognised the challenge they faced to retain their unbeaten World Cup run against Wales.

"I think the Welsh will feel hard done by," he said of the loss to South Africa. "They were right in that game. I'm sure they've been having a big training week to rectify it and they'll be throwing everything at us on Sunday."

Samoa have a few weapons of their own to throw at Wales, 111kg braided wing Alesana Tuilagi principal among them.

Fresh off a hat-trick against Namibia, the Leicester wrecking ball has a simple explanation for his massive frame.

"We love our food back home. We love loads of meat. When you go back home from the UK, you tend to eat a lot."

His brother, Manu, was expected to steal much of the limelight owing to his inclusion in England's World Cup squad, but whereas the centre was subdued against Argentina, Alesana exploded in Rotorua against the African minnows.

Williams said Tuilagi's form made his role on attack pretty simple.

"I'll be running off him whenever I can to take any crumbs on offer."

WALES v SAMOA
Hamilton, 3.30pm, tomorrow

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

WALES
James Hook
George North
Jonathan Davies
Jamie Roberts
Shane Williams
Rhys Priestland
Mike Phillips
Toby Faletau
Sam Warburton (c)
Danny Lydiate
Alun Wyn Jones
Luke Charteris
Adam Jones
Huw Bennett
Paul James
Reserves: Lloyd Burns, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Leigh Halfpenny.

SAMOA
Paul Williams
Sailosi Tagicakibau
George Pisi
Seilala Mapusua
Alesana Tuilagi
Tusi Pisi
Kahn Fotuali'i
George Stowers
Maurie Faasavalu
Ofisa Treviranus
Kane Thompson
Daniel Leo
Anthony Perenise
M. Schwalger (c)
Sakaria Taulafo
Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Census Johnston, Joe Tekori, Taiasina Tuifua, Jeremy Sua, Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono, Tasesa Lavea.