When the full-time whistle blows at Fukuoka's Hakatanomori Stadium later this evening, Samoa's Rugby World Cup campaign will be over, and their captain Jack Lam will be unemployed.
The 31 year old, who played the first of his 37 tests in 2013, is out of contract after being released by the Bristol Bears in May.
Lam, who had been at the club since 2014, captained the side in the early part of the 2016-17 English Premiership campaign but was one of 11 players to be shown the door by his coach and cousin Pat Lam, including fellow Samoa international Tusi Pisi.
He received offers from a couple of clubs in France but said he turned them down in order to play for Samoa.
"It was a no-brainer for me.
"There was a couple of contracts in France that I could have taken but they had the condition that I had to turn down the World Cup and (the chance to) play for Samoa - in the future as well - but I just couldn't do that, seeing I still had too much to offer in the jersey and it just didn't cross my mind," Lam said.
"It was a bit of a risk coming, especially for my family, but (my) missus and family are all behind with by decision."
Jack Lam spent five seasons at Bristol but is now looking for a new club. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Samoa coach Steve Jackson previously said a number of players made themselves unavailable for the World Cup because of pressure from their club teams.
Jack Lam admitted it was a tough situation.
"I chose not to take that route or that path," he said.
"Other guys obviously have families as well and they might have seen that as a risk coming here to the World Cup.
"But, hopefully in the future it does change where we won't have these kind of problems where we have to (not) pick certain players purely because they weren't available."
Assistant coach Alistair Rogers said while they may be undermanned it had only brought the team closer together.
"It has been a challenge selecting the squad as Jack says but the great thing about it was we actually knew that we had a group that really wanted to be here, that sacrificed a lot to be here.
"You can build a good foundation with that and we believe we have. I think it has to change really for the future of Pacific Island teams - we'll see where that goes and where that leads to."
Manu Samoa prop Paul Alo-Emile, assistant coach Alistair Rogers and captain Jack Lam. Photo: Vinnie Wylie/RNZ Pacific
Samoa playing for pride in World Cup swansong
Only pride is on the line for Samoa in the team's final Rugby World Cup match.
Samoa opened the tournament with a win against Russia but back to back losses against Scotland and Japan ended their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
The team also fell foul of the officials, receiving a tournament high five yellow cards, with hooker Motu Matu'u and centre Rey Lee-Lo still serving three-match suspensions.
Jack Lam said they were determined to end the tournament on a positive note.
"For us as players we still want to leave a bit of pride in the jersey. We've still got a lot to play for, in terms of trying to qualify for the next World Cup and obviously for the future of rugby in Samoa."
Captain Jack Lam is wrapped up by the Scottish defence. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Tonight's clash will only be the seventh meeting between Samoa and Ireland, and the first at a Rugby World Cup.
Samoa's solitary success came in 1996, while Jack Lam, Alapati Leiua, Logovi'i Mulipola, Teofilo Paulo and Tusi Pisi were all involved when the teams last played in 2013.
Alistair Rogers said these kind of matches don't come around too often.
"Any time we play a team - I hate to use the words tier one and tier two but a tier one team then it's a great opportunity for us.
"The only way you learn is really by testing yourself against the best and that's what we'd like to do as a team. So, hopefully in the future we get more opportunities to be able to play tier one nations and that will help us to grow," Rogers said.
Alapati Leiua is one of five players in the current team that also played Ireland in 2013. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Samoa planning no "special treatment" for Bundee Aki
The game will also be a special one for Irish midfielder Bundee Aki, who was born in Auckland to Samoan parents.
The 29 year old moved to Ireland five years ago and has played 22 tests for his adopted nation since 2017.
Manu captain Lam said they knew Aki but would't be paying him any more attention than the rest of the Irish team.
"No special presents for him, he'll get the same treatment as everyone else. Most of the boys are pretty close with Bundee - a couple of boys have seen him during the week - so we're still friends off the field but once everyone crosses the line they're all the same," Lam said.
Aki played two seasons at the Chiefs alongside Samoan fullback Tim Nanai Williams before moving to Ireland in 2014.
He told Irish Rugby TV "it's a massive privilege" to play against his heritage and said his family were all behind him.
"I think they're just rooting for me and making sure I play well and rooting for Ireland as well. Look, I think my parents always said every time I play make sure I play with a humble heart, play to the ball and make sure you come out with no injuries and hope for the best result."
Bundee Aki expected the teams would be go after each other for the full 80 minutes but would be friends again after the full-time whistle.
Ireland midfielder Bundee Aki was born in Auckland to Samoan parents. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
