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Samoan second-rower Brian Alainu’u’ese says his team will be motivated by national pride when they face England in Lille on Saturday.
The Pacific Islanders would need a very unlikely series of events to go their way in order to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals, but they can at least end their disappointing Pool D campaign on a high by defeating England for the first time.
“We are a small country but we punch above our weight and I’m really honoured and privileged to be in the situation I am in right now. It’s massive for me, for my family,” Alainu’u’ese said.
“The message from the coaches has been to do your job as best you can, be physical in everything that you do. And with a smile on your face.
“We’ll give everything against England so the supporters can see that we are working hard.
“The best thing is we still have one more chance to show our love for the jersey and our country supporting us.”