Wales rugby tour: Samoan welcome rhymes with friendship

Samoa head of state Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi is a fan of Welsh rugby. He is also a fan Dylan Thomas.

Which is why a delegation of Wales's rugby players heard the words of the poet being quoted to them when they were given a state welcome in Apia.

Wales face Samoa in the island's capital on Friday - the 10th meeting between the countries in a relationship which goes back to 1986.

It's one His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi was keen to acknowledge - while invoking the spirit of one of Thomas' most famous works.

"I'm a great fan of Dylan Thomas," he said before quoting 'Do not go gentle into that good night… rage, rage against the dying light.'

For the Wales team there is a message there in Thomas' powerful poem - an invocation to fight and be bold. Qualities needed on Friday.

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Qualities that run deep within the Samoan rugby team who have a rich history with Wales - and have enjoyed their share of success against the men in red.

"The Welsh have been very kind to us when we were struggling to get recognition from the bigger unions," he added.

"They were the first to come and tour and play here in Samoa.

"It meant so much that they came from so far away and were giving up their time. They've been very good to us."

Wales came away from Apia on that day in 1986 with a 32-14 victory, but Samoa have since inflicted defeat time and again on the men in red.

They have won four of the nine matches between the two sides including famous World Cup wins in Cardiff in 1991 and 1999, as well as comfortable 34-9 victory at home in Apia the last time Wales toured the Pacific Islands in 1994.

Despite their feats on the international stage - securing wins against not only Wales but, Italy, Scotland, Ireland and Argentina too - Samoa have struggled for recognition and fixtures, especially at home.

England and France though will tour the Pacific Islands as part of a new global calendar from 2020 with World Rugby aiming to increase the number of matches between Tier One and Tier Two countries.

Samoan wins against ether of those teams is not impossible. Winning against Wales on Friday as history shows is very possible.

"Do not go gentle into that good night,"

Wales have been warned.