PARIS, 25 September – When Samoa meet the USA in Saint-Etienne on Wednesday they will be fighting to avoid the unwanted distinction of finishing last in Pool A.

While USA play one more match (against South Africa), Samoa have reached the end of the line and are desperate to restore their reputation and pride.

"We're actually fighting for the wooden spoon - which is to not (to) be the wooden spooners - which for a proud country like ours and a proud rugby nation it means a lot for us to finish well," Samoa head coach La’auli Michael Jones said.

La’auli has had his work cut out for him during RWC 2007, losing nearly a dozen players to injury in the side's first three matches.

Chiropractor out

To make matters worse, veteran player Brian 'The Chiropractor' Lima has been suspended for three weeks following a judicial hearing on Monday.

Lima, who is retiring after the tournament, was cited for a dangerous tackle against England star Jonny Wilkinson during the match in Nantes on Saturday. Elvis Seveali'I starts at inside centre in Lima's place.

"It's a tragedy for him and Samoa and all the supporters of the world who loved watching Brian play," La’auli said. "The real pity is this is the first time in 18 years he has ever been cited."

On a brighter note, La’auli is hopeful full back Loki Crichton, who scored 17 points against England on Saturday (22 September), will be able to turn it on again. The match against USA may also see 19-year-old Naama Leleimalefaga, who has been named on the bench.

While Samoa have spent the last fortnight dogged by injury and bruised by consecutive losses to Tonga and England, the USA team have had a 14-day break.

Practice match

After they were beaten 25-15 by Tonga in their last RWC 2007 match on 12 September, the Eagles supplemented their regular training regime with a practice match against a local French team from Bourgogne. Although no official score was kept, and no conversions attempted, the game reportedly ended with USA scoring four tries to three.

USA head coach Peter Thorburn has tweaked his starting line-up for the match. Second row Hayden Mexted will earn his seventh cap, while 34-year-old Fifita
Mounga and South African-born Philip Eloff will play their first game of this tournament. Henry Bloomfield and Albert Tuipulotu have been relegated to the bench, while Mike Mangan has not been included in the squad.

"It will again be a physical game and we have to be careful with their individual skills," Thorburn said.

The match will be particularly challenging for USA replacement fly half Valenese Malifa, who was born in Samoa, and several others in the team who have Samoan heritage.

Malifa said he was looking forward to the match.

"It will be a great experience. I have a lot of friends on the other side and I know it will be tough. Anyway, I know that on the field I am American even if I feel Samoan off the field. It will definitely be something very special."