Samoa

The loss to Japan, the greatest upset in the history of the tournament, would ensure South Africa are fully focused for the game at Villa Park, according to Samoa coach Stephen Betham.

"We know there will be probably be a backlash, but we're going to be ready for it," he said as the Pacific Islanders began preparations for the clash. "We are going to give it everything."

Police are investigating the incident in Siumu where the boy was shot in the head by his 10-year-old cousin.

Egon Keil says the 12-gauge shotgun was unregistered and there were no adults at the scene.

He says it is unfortunate that the gun had not been kept in a safe place.

"The kids were horse-playing and one of the kids got a hold of the rifle and accidentally, or we don't know for sure if it was done purposefully, but he pulled the trigger. But of course it wasn't intended to kill the 9-year-old."

Man of the match Tim Nanai-Williams and captain Ofisa Treviranus scored the tries while the boot of Tusi Pisi and Mike Stanley ensured the Manu maintained their lead throughout the match.

The US continued to question the Samoan defence, with the power of Thretton Palamo and raw pace of Takudzwa Ngwenya a constant threat, and managed a consolation try in the final minutes.

Coach Stephen Betham says there is plenty to work on but they're happy to take the win and move on.

Four of the matchday squad are playing in their third World Cup, while six are suiting up for the second time.

17 of the matchday 23 also featured in the historic test against the All Blacks in Apia in July.

Teofilo Paulo and Jack Lam are the only newcomers in the pack, which will be led by skipper and number eight Ofisa Treviranus.

Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams will be making just his second test appearance, while the experienced pairing of Kahn Fotuali'i and Tusi Pisi will direct the team in the halves, with vice-captain Alesana Tuilagi on the left wing.

First up is England in the opening match of the tournament at Twickenham on Saturday morning.

Expecting a raucous atmosphere, head coach John McKee revealed during the week his team used loud speakers during training camps in an effort to prepare for the atmosphere at the home of English rugby.

While the bulk of the 82,000 strong Twickenham crowd will be barracking for the home side but coach John McKee says the Pacific Nations Cup winners are embracing the occasion.

Nine of the 13 Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Members that are Parties to the Waigani Convention were present at the meeting. SPREP is the Secretariat of the Waigani Convention that entered into force in 2001.

The police say another child, who is a cousin of the dead boy, was also present at the time of the incident.

The Police Commissioner, Egon Keil, says there is information from the family that the child was playing with the rifle.

He says people who own guns must take responsibility to ensure their guns are kept in a safe place.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) are inviting cultural enterprises in the crafts, visual arts and fashion sectors from Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands to apply for funded participation at the popular tradeshow which attracted over 30,000 buyers from over 80 countries this year.

Women in Business Development Incorporated recently hosted two symposiums to discuss quality issues and train new weavers in the art of weaving Ie Sae - the traditional material.

Cultural and protocol advisor, Fuimaono Rosa Me, says weavers have increasingly been using Ie Malo for weaving but she says it's not part of the culture and doesn't produce good quality mats.

"It goes bad very quickly, it doesn't last long, while the Ie Sae lasts for years and years like we've done in the old days and that's why we want to revive this culture again to the women's role."

The recently launched report on the state of human rights in Samoa revealed 46 percent of women, from ages of 15 to 49, have experienced some form of gender based violence.

This includes physical, mental and verbal abuse.

Suisala Mele Maualaivao of UN Women says the agency has addressed the issue but acceptance and change in the communities will not happen without the support of faith based organisations.

UNESCO's Etienne Clement says violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights.