Samoa are no strangers to earning promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship.
They have twice had to win the second-tier U20 Trophy to return to the premier age-grade tournament after suffering the agony of relegation.
They dropped out of the elite tier in both 2010 and 2015, but bounced back at the first attempt on each occasion by winning the Trophy – even if it was only thanks to a nail-biting sudden-death, extra-time win over Spain in the 2016 final in Harare, Zimbabwe.
“I look back on that success in Zimbabwe as being crucial for Samoa and the building of depth of players. It was a special team; we got the formula and players right,” said Trophy-winning coach Ramsey Tomokino, who now acts as head of Team Operations for the Samoa Rugby Union.
“The players created some special memories for themselves. It was certainly a highlight of their playing careers, and a highlight of my coaching career.
“Our theme in Zimbabwe was to right the wrong of dropping down and to open the door for the 2017 group of players to come in and play at the top level.
“It is important to me that we are in the top level given the richness of talent that Samoan rugby has produced. We deserve our players to be striving for the top by playing in the top competitions.
“The key for us is to stay there and not go down again.”
Future stars
While no longer directly involved with the U20 team, Tomokino will watch the events in Georgia from 31 May to 18 June with immense pride. Having played his part in securing promotion, he hopes that the tournament will not only serve up good results but future internationals as well.
“From that group of players (in Zimbabwe), two are now Manu Samoa internationals and there will be a few more by the end of this season, while one (Ezekiel Lindenmuth) now plays for New Zealand U20s,” he pointed out.
“(Manu Samoa head coach) Alama Ieremia has told this current group, which contains some very talented players, that they are being watched. With 2019 around the corner, the hope is that a handful of them from the 2016 and 2017 campaigns will be involved at the World Cup.”
Samoa could not have asked for a tougher draw in Georgia, the U20 Trophy winners slotting into Pool A alongside defending champions England, Australia and Wales as 12th seeds.
Their preparations haven't been the smoothest with the departure of coach Junior Leota in the last few weeks, but Rugby World Cup veteran Mahonri Schwalger has stepped in as his successor.
Gold finish
A key part of those preparations were the Oceania Rugby U20 Championship on Australia's Gold Coast earlier this month. Samoa lost to both Australia and New Zealand, but showed their determination by fighting back to beat Fiji 39-29 to finish third overall.
Tomokino believes many positives can be taken from the Gold Coast experience.
“They never gave up, and they need to have that same mindset in Georgia because scoring points at the death could see them pick up valuable competition points that mean the difference between survival or dropping down.
“They were blitzed in the first half by New Zealand and Australia, but that was more down to their own mistakes.
“There is an exciting look about the team when they get their tails up. They managed to put decent points on both New Zealand and Australia and came back well against Fiji.
“If they can cut out the mistakes and keep the same attacking threat, they have it within them to cause an upset.
A real privilege
“The key thing for our young men is not to be overawed by any of the opposition. Mahonri has been in giant-killing Samoan teams in the past so his experience will be vital.”
Schwalger played for Manu Samoa at three Rugby World Cups, in 2003, 2007 and 2011, and his appointment has been universally welcomed.
“He has inherited the team and I am sure he will do the best with what he has been given. I know he will motivate the team well to get the desired outcomes,” said Tomokino.
Schwalger added: “It is a real privilege to coach our up-and-coming stars. This tournament is very important to a player's development as it is the main pathway to our senior team.
“We hope to perform well and cause an upset. It is very important we stay in the U20 Championship because that's where the real competition is and we are able to measure ourselves against the best in the world.”