Samoa - sad departure (Getty Images)

By Frank Malley, PA Chief Sports Writer, Brisbane

Click here for Samoa team section
Click here for more World Cup news
Bet Now on Rugby Union with UK Betting

Six days ago the blue shirts of Samoa produced a performance of genuine wonder to take the infamous '16 men' of England to within an inch of their World Cup lives.

Today they bade a dramatic farewell to the competition, suffocated and strangled by the formidable power of a South African forward machine which looks more polished with each game.

It was a 60-10 beating which somewhat flew in the face of the predictions of England head coach Clive Woodward, who had advised red rose critics to "keep their powder dry" because the Samoans were a side who could progress deep into the tournament.

Woodward was wrong and much of that was no doubt to do with the energy-sapping effort required by Samoa last weekend.

But let's not debate Samoa's shortcomings. Let's celebrate their presence and their farewell which saw captain Semo Sititi gather both sides in a circle at the final whistle before imploring all those endeavouring to beat each other black and blue moments before to kneel and pray and give thanks for a safe conclusion. It could only happen with the wonderful Samoans.

In a tournament which has been conspicuously short of unpredictability and lacking in excitement Samoa have shone as consistently as the Brisbane sun.

They have played rugby as it was meant to be played, in hand and at pace - as a form of entertainment as opposed to the sterile, stick-it-up-the-jumper and kick-your-goals business variety which has categorised some of England's play.

Where England have been involved in controversy, Samoa have proved sport can be heroic and humble as well as brutal - one tackle from Brian Lima cleaning out Springbok fly-half Derick Houggard and bringing a collective gasp of wonder from the 48,496 spectators.

Even against South Africa the Pacific Islanders stuck to their attacking traditions, running with ball in hand at every opportunity, bringing the Suncorp stadium to its feet. In short, entertaining.

They played their gallant hearts out but made too many handling errors and in the end South Africa were too strong for the little nation with just 175,000 inhabitants. Samoa, however, should not be forgotten.

It is little short of a disgrace that there are serious doubts they may not be at the next World Cup because of their financial problems and the fact that so many of their players are being stolen by the lure of riches and kudos from the black jersey with the silver fern.

Eight Samoans inhabit the New Zealand squad, another eight were refused permission to join the World Cup adventure by clubs who know the Samoans, without the cushion of central contracts, cannot afford to play without pay.

This weekend Woodward urged World Cup organisers to hand over the £10,000 England were fined for the '16-man' affair to the Samoans.

It's a start. Much better, however, if New Zealand should instigate a regular international against their rugby cousins. Better still if the RFU could find a diary date for a match at Twickenham with all proceeds going to the Samoan union.

Rugby owes Samoa at least that much for supplying World Cup 2003 with its soul.