KEY POINTS:
Peter "Fats" Fatialofa said Manu Samoa need to shake their under-dog label and pull off a few big wins.
"We nearly got close to blowing England off who ended up winning the World Cup in 2003," the Manu Samoa forwards coach said.
Fatialofa said Manu Samoa is focused on getting to the quarter-finals but it will be a hard job.
"We want to be the great achievers," he said.
In the past they have been lacking fitness but the team has been working on that, Fatialofa said.
"We've got a special harmony in the team. On certain days we can beat anybody," he said.
He said the scoreboards in their recent losses against New Zealand A and Australia A didn't reflect the closeness of the games.
"We've got our first game against South Africa and we know they're going to be tough. Then we've got Tonga who are just as tough as any other team on the day. And after that we've got England, so I guess it's going to be about the last man standing," Fatialofa said.
He said the team will be feeding off each other.
"Our strengths are our natural ability of speed and strength and running with the ball. We tend to play off the cuff and run the ball, where most teams would kick," Fatialofa said.
But the team is focussing on results now and fans can expect a change in approach, he said.
As far as the final goes, Fatialofa said it will be a Springboks versus All Blacks match-up.
"New Zealand are the favourites but as you can see, if a couple fo players don't have a good game, they're vulnerable," he said.
He said the top four teams will be South Africa, New Zealand, France and of course Manu Samoa.
"Things could change, it could be an All Blacks, Samoa final," Fatialofa said.
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Peter Fatialofa's playing career with Manu Samoa:
Name: Leasiosiofaasisina Peter Fatialofa
Born: 26 April, 1959
Debut: 1988
Manu Samoa games: 34
Game points: 9, 2 tries
Sources: Rugby statistician Paul Neazor and the Manu Samoa Rugby Union.
YOUR PREDICTIONS
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