So, about that underdogs tag. There is no need to be an expert to know that nothing is won on the opening day of a tournament but after a buildup where England’s prospects were roundly downplayed and the hype around Samoa was so great they were favourites with the bookies, this was some way to lay down a marker for the next five weeks.
Supporters probably could not help fear the worst pre-match, though. With the public address system failing and the opening ceremony – which had been rehearsed to perfection three times in the morning – being cut short. The sight of the Kaiser Chiefs singer, Ricky Wilson, running up and down the touchline to try to lift spirits before slipping on the turf could easily have felt like a worrying precursor for an underwhelming day all-round.
