Samoa (known as Western Samoa until 1997) have played in every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. Their omission from the inaugural tournament in 1987 was controversial, as there were no qualifications. Their worst World Cups were in 2007, 2015 and 2019 when they finished fourth in their pool.
| Nation | Number of appearances | First appearance | Most recent appearance | Streak | Best result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Samoa |
9 | 1991 | 2019 | 9 | Quarter finals, 1991, 1995 |
| Rugby World Cup | Qualification | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | |
  1987
|
Not invited | Not invited | ||||||||||||||
     1991
|
Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 60 | 72 | Squad | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 21 | |
 1995
|
Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 110 | 130 | Squad | Automatically qualified | |||||||
| 1999
|
Quarter-final play-offs | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 117 | 107 | Squad | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 59 | 71 | |
| 2003
|
Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 138 | 117 | Squad | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 96 | 58 | |
| 2007
|
Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 69 | 143 | Squad | 1st | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 133 | 78 | |
| 2011
|
Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 49 | Squad | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 188 | 19 | |
| 2015
|
Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 124 | Squad | Automatically qualified | |||||||
 2019
|
Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 58 | 128 | Squad | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 196 | 47 | |
| 2023 |
Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 92 | 75 | Squad | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 28 | |
| 2027 |
to be determined | Qualification not started | ||||||||||||||
 2031
| ||||||||||||||||
| Total | 9/10 | 36 | 15 | 0 | 21 | 804 | 977 | — | — | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 874 | 422 | |
| Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place | Home venue |
|---|---|
|
Main article: 1991 Rugby World Cup |
Pool 3 matches –
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 25 | +54 | 6 |
| Western Samoa
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 34 | +20 | 4 |
| Wales
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 61 | −29 | 2 |
 Argentina
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 83 | −45 | 0 |
| 6 October 1991 |
| Wales | 13–16 | Western Samoa |
| Try: Emyr Evans Con: Ring Pen: Ring | Try: Vaega Vaifale Con: Vaea Pen: Vaea (2) |
| Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Referee: Patrick Robin (France) |
| 9 October 1991 |
| Australia | 9–3 | Western Samoa |
| Pen: Lynagh (3) | Pen: Vaea |
| Pontypool Park, Pontypool Referee: Ed Morrison (England) |
| 13 October 1991 |
| Argentina | 12–35 | Western Samoa |
| Try: Teran Con: Arbizu Pen: Laborde Arbizu | Try: Tagaola (2) Lima (2) Bunce Bachop Con: Vaea (4) Pen: Vaea |
| Sardis Road, Pontypridd Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland) |
Quarter final
| 19 October 1991 |
| Scotland | 28–6 | Western Samoa |
| Try: Jeffrey (2) Stanger Con: Hastings (2) Pen: Hastings (4) | Pen: Vaea Drop: Bachop |
| Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales) |
|
Main article: 1995 Rugby World Cup |
Pool B games –
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 60 | +35 | 9 |
| Western Samoa
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 96 | 88 | +8 | 7 |
 Italy
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 69 | 94 | −25 | 5 |
| Argentina
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 87 | −18 | 3 |
| 27 May 1995 |
| Italy | 18–42 | Western Samoa |
| Try: Vaccari Cuttitta Con: Dominguez Pen: Dominguez Drop: Dominguez | Report | Try: Lima (2) Harder (2) Kellett Tatupu Con: Kellett (3) Pen: Kellett (2) |
| Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Joel Dume (France) |
| 30 May 1995 |
| Western Samoa | 32–26 | Argentina |
| Try: Lam Leaupepe Harder Con: Kellett Pen: Kellett (5) | Try: Penalty try Crexell Con: Cilley (2) Pen: Cilley (4) |
| Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Dave Bishop (New Zealand) |
| 4 June 1995 |
| England | 44–22 | Western Samoa |
| Try: Underwood (2) Back Con: Callard Pen: Callard Drop: Catt | Try: Sini (2) Umaga Con: Fa'amasino (2) Pen: Fa'amasino |
| Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Patrick Robin (France) |
Quarter-finals –
| 10 June 1995 |
| South Africa | 42–14 | Western Samoa |
| Try: Williams (4) Rossouw Andrews Con: Johnson (3) Pen: Johnson (2) | Try: Tatupu Nu'uali'itia Con: Fa'amasino (2) |
| Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 52,000 Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland) |
|
Main article: 1999 Rugby World Cup |
| Qualified for quarter-finals |
| Qualified for quarter-final play-offs |
Pool D games –
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 71 | +47 | 7 |
| Samoa
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 97 | 72 | +25 | 7 |
| Argentina
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 83 | 51 | +32 | 7 |
| Japan
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 140 | −104 | 3 |
| 3 October 1999 |
| Samoa | 43–9 | Japan |
| Try: Lima (2) So'oalo (2) Leaega Con: Leaega (3) Pen: Leaega (4) | Pen: Hirose (3) |
| Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
| 10 October 1999 |
| Argentina | 32–16 | Samoa |
| Try: Allub Pen: Quesada (8) Drop: Quesada | Try: Paramore Con: Leaega Pen: Leaega (3) |
| Stradey Park, Llanelli Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
| 14 October 1999 |
| Wales | 31–38 | Samoa |
| Try: Thomas Penalty try (2) Con: Jenkins (2) Pen: Jenkins (4) | Try: Bachop (2) Falaniko Lam Leaega Con: Leaega Pen: Leaega |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Ed Morrison (England) |
Quarter-final playoffs
| 20 October 1999 |
| Scotland | 35–20 | Samoa |
| Try: Murray Leslie Con: Logan Pen: Logan (5) Drop: Townsend | Try: Lima Sititi Con: Leaega (2) Pen: Leaega (2) |
| Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 67,000 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland) |
|
Main article: 2003 Rugby World Cup Pool C |
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 255 | 47 | +208 | 3 | 19 | Quarter-finals |
| South Africa
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 184 | 60 | +124 | 3 | 15 | |
| Samoa
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 138 | 117 | +21 | 2 | 10 | |
 Uruguay
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 56 | 255 | −199 | 0 | 4 | |
 Georgia
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 200 | −154 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 October 2003 |
| Samoa | 60–13 | Uruguay |
| Try: Fa'asavalu (2) Lima (2) Tagicakibau Fa'atau Lemalu Vili Fe'aunati Palepoi Con: Va'a (3) Vili (2) | Try: Capo Lemoine Pen: Aguirre |
| Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 22,020 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland) |
| 19 October 2003 |
| Georgia | 9–46 | Samoa |
| Pen: Jimsheladze (2) Drop: Jimsheladze | Try: Tagicakibau Va'a Sititi So'oialo Fe'aunati Lima Con: Va'a (5) Pen: Va'a (2) |
| Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 21,507 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) |
| 26 October 2003 |
| England | 35–22 | Samoa |
| Try: Back Penalty try Balshaw Vickery Con: Wilkinson (3) Pen: Wilkinson (2) Drop: Wilkinson | Try: Sititi Con: Va'a Pen: Va'a (5) |
| Telstra Dome, Melbourne Attendance: 50,647 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
| 1 November 2003 |
| South Africa | 60–10 | Samoa |
| Try: Van Niekerk Muller Hougaard Smith Willemse Fourie Van der Westhuyzen De Kock Con: Hougaard (5) Koen (2) Pen: Hougaard Drop: Hougaard | Try: Palepoi Con: Va'a Pen: Va'a |
| Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 48,496 Referee: Chris White (England) |
|
Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 47 | +142 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | England
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 108 | 88 | +20 | 2 | 14 | |
| 3 |  Tonga
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 96 | −7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for 2011 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 143 | −74 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 | United States
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 61 | 142 | −81 | 1 | 1 |
| 9 September 2007 16:00 |
| South Africa | 59–7 | Samoa |
| Try: Habana (4) 33' m, 56' c, 66' c, 76' m Montgomery (2) 40+' c, 53' m Fourie 47' c JP Pietersen 80+' c Con: Montgomery (5/8) Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 3', 10', 15' | Report | Try: Williams 18' c Con: Williams (1/1) |
| Parc des Princes, Paris Attendance: 46,575 Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand) |
| 16 September 2007 16:00 |
| Samoa | 15–19 | Tonga |
| Pen: Williams (5/6) 6', 21', 23', 29', 69' | Report | Try: Taione 60' c Con: Hola (1/1) Pen: Hola (4/5) 3', 38', 47', 67' |
| Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 24,128 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
| 22 September 2007 16:00 |
| England | 44–22 | Samoa |
| Try: Corry (2) 2' c, 76' c Sackey (2) 32' c, 80+' m Con: Wilkinson (3/4) Pen: Wilkinson (4/6) 15', 22', 33', 72' Drop: Wilkinson (2/3) 6', 69' | Report | Try: Polu 47' c Con: Crichton (1/1) Pen: Crichton (5/5) 9', 12', 38', 40+, 42' |
| Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Attendance: 37,022 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland) |
| 26 September 2007 20:00 |
| Samoa | 25–21 | United States |
| Try: Fa'atau 5' m Tuilagi 9' c Thompson 37' c Con: Crichton (2/3) Pen: Crichton (2/2) 30', 72' | Report | Try: Ngwenya 53' c Stanfill 79' m Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (3/4) 32', 65', 75' |
| Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Attendance: 34,124 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
|
Main article: 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool D |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 24 | +142 | 21 | 2 | 18 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Wales
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 180 | 34 | +146 | 23 | 3 | 15 | |
| 3 | Samoa
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 49 | +42 | 9 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 |  Fiji
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 167 | −108 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 |  Namibia
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 44 | 266 | −222 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Pool D matches
| 14 September 2011 14:30 |
| Samoa | 49–12 | Namibia |
| Try: Fotuali'i 1' c Tuilagi (3) 17' c, 35' m, 55' c Williams 59' c Penalty try 70' c Con: T. Pisi (2/2) Williams (2/3) Pen: T. Pisi (2/2) 10', 24' Williams (1/1) 53' | Report | Try: van Wyk 63' m Kotzé 79' c Con: Kotzé (1/2) |
| Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Attendance: 12,752 Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
| 18 September 2011 15:30 |
| Wales | 17–10 | Samoa |
| Try: Williams 67' m Pen: Hook (2/3) 12', 27' Priestland (2/2) 43', 66' | Report | Try: Perenise 40+' c Con: Williams (1/1) Pen: Williams (1/3) 21' |
| Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 30,804 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) |
| 25 September 2011 15:30 |
| Fiji | 7–27 | Samoa |
| Try: Talei 67' c Con: Luveniyali (1/1) | Report | Try: Fotuali'i 62' m Stowers 70' c Con: Williams (1/1) Pen: Pisi (4/6) 6', 10', 27', 45' Drop: Pisi (1/2) 12' |
| Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 60,327 Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) |
| 30 September 2011 20:30 |
| South Africa | 13–5 | Samoa |
| Try: Habana 9' c Con: M. Steyn (1/1) Pen: F. Steyn (1/3) 25' M. Steyn (1/2) 27' Drop: M. Steyn (0/1) | Report | Try: Stowers 51' m Con: T. Pisi (0/1) |
| North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 29,734 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
|
Main article: 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 56 | +120 | 23 | 4 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Scotland
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 93 | +43 | 14 | 2 | 14 | |
| 3 | Japan
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 | 100 | −2 | 9 | 0 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 124 | −55 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
| 5 | United States
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 156 | −106 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 September 2015 | Samoa |
25–16 | United States |
Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton |
| 26 September 2015 | South Africa |
46–6 | Samoa |
Villa Park, Birmingham |
| 3 October 2015 | Samoa |
5–26 | Japan |
Stadium mk, Milton Keynes |
| 10 October 2015 | Samoa |
33–36 | Scotland |
St. James' Park, Newcastle |
|
Main article: 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 62 | +53 | 13 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Ireland
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 121 | 27 | +94 | 18 | 4 | 16 | |
| 3 | Scotland
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 119 | 55 | +64 | 16 | 3 | 11 | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 58 | 128 | −70 | 8 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 |  Russia
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 160 | −141 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 September 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
| Russia | 9–34 | Samoa (1 BP) |
| Pen: Kushnarev (2/2) 19', 26' Drop: Kushnarev (1/1) 48' | Report | Try: Leiua (2) 16' m, 80' m Amosa 45' m Fidow (2) 49' c, 53' c Lee-Lo 63' m Con: Pisi (2/5) 50', 54' |
| Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya Attendance: 22,564 Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
| 30 September 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) Scotland | 34–0 | Samoa |
| Try: Maitland 30' c Laidlaw 34' c Penalty try (2) 57', 75' Con: Laidlaw (2/2) 31', 36' Pen: Laidlaw (1/1) 9' Drop: Hogg (1/1) 38' | Report |
| Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe Attendance: 27,586 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) |
| 5 October 2019 19:30 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) Japan | 38–19 | Samoa |
| Try: Lafaele 28' c Himeno 53' c Fukuoka 76' m Matsushima 80+5' c Con: Tamura (3/4) 29', 55', 80+7' Pen: Tamura (4/5) 3', 8', 24', 51' | Report | Try: Taefu 73' c Con: Taefu (1/1) 74' Pen: Taefu (4/5) 10', 15', 34', 45' |
| City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota Attendance: 39,695 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
| 12 October 2019 19:45 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) Ireland | 47–5 | Samoa |
| Try: Best 4' c Furlong 10' c Sexton (2) 21' c, 39' m Larmour 48' c Stander 65' c Conway 70' c Con: Sexton (4/5) 5', 11', 23', 50 Carbery (2/2) 67', 72' | Report | Try: J. Lam 26' m |
| Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka Attendance: 17,967 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) |
|
Main article: 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool D |
| 16 September 2023 15:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| (1 BP) Samoa | 43–10 |  Chile |
| Try: Paia'aua 40+1' c Taumateine 42' m Lee 47' m Malolo (2) 52' c, 80+1' c Con: Leali'ifano (2/4) 40+2', 53' Sopoaga (1/1) 80+2' Pen: Leali'ifano (4/4) 4', 10', 14', 36' | Report | Try: Dittus 6' c Con: Videla (1/1) 7' Pen: Garafulic (1/1) 30' |
| Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Attendance: 39,291 Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)[1] |
| 22 September 2023 17:45 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Argentina | 19–10 | Samoa |
| Try: Boffelli 9' c Con: Boffelli (1/1) 10' Pen: Boffelli (3/4) 25', 34', 54' Sánchez (1/1) 80' | Report | Try: Malolo 75' c Con: Leuila (1/1) 75' Pen: Leali'ifano (1/3) 28' |
| Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Attendance: 38,358 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)[1] |
| 28 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Japan | 28–22 | Samoa (1 BP) |
| Try: Labuschagné 13' c Leitch 32' c Himeno 48' m Con: Matsuda (2/3) 15', 33' Pen: Matsuda (3/3) 28', 56', 75' | Report | Try: S. Lam 38' m Paia'aua 65' c Leali'ifano 78' c Con: Leali'ifano (2/3) 66', 79' Pen: Leuila (1/2) 25' |
| Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 31,794 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)[1] |
| 7 October 2023 17:45 CEST (UTC+2) |
| England | 18–17 | Samoa (1 BP) |
| Try: Chessum 9' m Care 73' c Con: Farrell (1/2) 74' Pen: Farrell (2/3) 18', 58' | Report | Try: Ah Wong (2) 22' c, 29' c Con: Sopoaga (2/2) 24', 30' Pen: Sopoaga (1/2) 48' |
| Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq Attendance: 47,891 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)[1] |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 39 | +111 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 18 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Argentina
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 127 | 69 | +58 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 14 | |
| 3 | Japan
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 109 | 107 | +2 | 12 | 14 | 1 | 9 | Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 92 | 75 | +17 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 7 | |
| 5 | Chile
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 27 | 215 | −188 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
Samoa has not hosted any World Cup games, and has not put in bids for future tournaments. Due to the lack of facilities, and the small size of the island nation, it is unlikely it will do so in the future.
Samoa can be seen playing South Africa in the feature film Invictus based on the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
