Fiji Airways Flying Fijians coach, John McKee expects Samoa to be in next year's World Cup but says he sympathises with their plight after their qualifying campaign was dealt with a more complex way.
Samoa will be taking on Germany or Portugal in a home and away playoff next month for a place at next year's World Cup.
Fiji and Tonga have qualified for the World Cup.
The Flying Fijians are pooled with Australia, Wales, Uruguay and Georgia in Pool D.
Tonga is in Pool C with England, France, Argentina and USA.
If Samoa fail to win this last qualifier, it would be their first time to miss out in the Rugby World Cup.
Meanwhile Romania have been disqualified from the 2019 Rugby World Cup after fielding ineligible players in qualifying with Russia taking their place.
An investigation set up by World Rugby found Romania, Belgium and Spain fielded ineligible players in seven to nine games in the second‑tier Rugby Europe Championship, which also acted as a qualifying competition.
All three teams were deducted points, leaving Russia to qualify for only their second World Cup. They go in as the Europe 1 qualifier in Pool A, joining Ireland, Scotland, and Japan.
Germany were promoted in place of Spain to a qualifying playoff against Portugal on June 9.
Source: Stuff.co
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