MANU SAMOA

The Manu Sāmoa is the Independent State of Sāmoa's national rugby union team (not to be confused with neighboring American Sāmoa, a U.S. territory, whose national rugby team is called the Talavalu). Although it never made during the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, it has never missed a campaign since it debuted in 1991. The last time Sāmoa made it past the pool stage was in 1995, when it lost to South Africa 14-42. 

Although Sāmoa came out fourth in its pool this year, it was within reach of victory in all of the pool games in which it lost (19-10 Argentina, 28-20 Japan, and 18-17 England). Sāmoa made several mistakes and could have easily clinched victory in the last three matches, but will have to regather for another shot in Australia 2027.