The hoopla surrounding his star-studded Samoa outfit cannot persuade coach Matt Parish to buy into the idea his side will be favourites to open the World Cup with a seismic shock.
"The upset would be Samoa beating England. That's never happened before," the Australian says, trying to damp down growing expectations this team dripping with NRL talent can down the hosts at Newcastle on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT).
Parish points to his men's more hurried preparation, to the later arrivals of his eight grand-final Panthers and Eels, while England were enjoying the luxury of gelling in a warm-up match.
"We're underdone for the first game," protests Parish.
And England - not to mention English bookmakers, who've installed the visitors as favourites - don't believe a word of it.
They look at the gifted crew awaiting the home side - the likes of Jarome Luai, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Josh Papali'i, Joseph Sua'ali'i, Junior Paulo et al - and fear Samoa could be pooping the party from the moment the hosts throw the doors open at St James' Park.
"It's not necessarily about spoiling the party," shrugs Eels prop Paulo, the Samoan captain who leads seven grand finalists into battle.
"But beating England would signify a massive achievement for Samoa on the international scale."
It would indeed be a famous first as the Samoans, for all that they've reached two World Cup quarter-finals under Parish, have yet to beat Australia, New Zealand or England.
The Samoans are odds-on to make it to the last-eight even if they lose their opener, as they should then comfortably handle Greece and France.
Yet victory first up would potentially set up a much easier last-eight date and a landmark breakthrough to a first-ever semi-final.
Parish understands that would mean the world to players who've sacrificed opportunities to play either for the Kangaroos and Kiwis and says he's "humbled" they've decided to represent Toa Samoa.
As Paulo, Auckland-born and a former Australia schoolboys star, explained about being named skipper: "Being proud of your heritage, of your parents and your grandparents, and the people who go before you in the jersey - it's quite an emotional call up but one you embrace.
"Although it was a sacrifice turning your back on those tier-one nations like Australia and New Zealand, it's about the social impact on what we can provide for the next generation."
And, of course, there's surely no question it is good for the tournament too.
"You look at the teams that are competing and it's by far the strongest World Cup ever," says Parish.
"It's the most even. It's exciting to be a part of."
And even if he's trying to take pressure off his team by playing the underdog card for the opener, the coach is not about to play down their overall hopes.
"We have got a very young squad but it's exciting too - we're looking forward to it. Our goal is to peak further down the tournament, not Saturday night.
"I'm confident that we're going to get better as the competition goes on."
