Samoa's Rugby League World Cup campaign was supposed to be a dream, but their humiliating display against England has turned the tournament into a nightmare.
They were thought to have what it takes to make the final and were tipped to win against England — who are a traditional powerhouse at the World Cup — but an embarrassing 60-6 loss has thrown the star-studded side into chaos.
There are now fresh calls for coach Matt Parish to be replaced, and the re-opening of old wounds among the island nation has transformed what was supposed to be a break-out World Cup into an utter disaster.
Why was Samoa expected to do big things?
Samoa have been underperforming for years. Since 2016 they've only notched up two wins — Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands — and their entire 2017 World Cup campaign was a flop as they went winless through their four matches.
By contrast, neighbouring rivals Tonga have experienced the most explosive rise international rugby league has ever seen, while Samoa continued to flounder with coach Parish copping the heat for the nation's underperformance.
Things were kicked up a gear last year when a letter was sent to Samoa's prime minister asking to remove Parish, who has led the side since 2013.
The letter had signatures of 34 current and former players. Star players in the World Cup squad like Josh Papali'i , Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Josh Alolai all signed the letter.
The letter questioned Parish's track record of wins and losses, his lack of professionalism and lack of respect for Samoan "cultural practices and traditions".
But Samoa Rugby League Board continued to back Parish and Prime Minister Tuiaepa Sailele Malielegaoi called the letter disrespectful.
Parish told News Corp he believes the players were "coerced" and were unaware of the letter's contents when they signed it.
Following the letter controversy, beloved rugby league legends Matt and Andrew Johns and Sonny Bill Williams offered to coach Samoa together, but were turned down.
Whatever occurred, those players opted to play for Samoa with Parish again this year and a squad was assembled that was easily the best in the nation's history.
Samoa signed up a roll call of NRL superstars for what, on paper at least, is clearly their best ever side.
A whopping six Penrith NRL premiership winners are in Samoa's side this year, including Origin stars To'o, Luai and Stephen Crichton.
Penrith are experiencing a golden era shaped by its development and pathway systems which cultivate the club's large Samoan influence.
Much hype was made about teen sensation 19-year-old Joseph Sua'ali'I (Sydney Roosters) turning down an offer to play for Australia to pull on the Samoan jersey, and they boasted three forwards with Origin experience in Junior Paulo, Jaydn Su'A and Josh Papali'i.
Papali'I, who has also represented Australia twice, spoke about the trend to play for heritage.
"As an older player, I feel like it's a movement I just don't want to be missing out on," Papali'I said.
"Just seeing the likes of a few of the Penrith boys coming out, and I've had a few text messages from other players who haven't come out yet saying they've put their hand up for Samoa."
In the lead up to the tournament there was a mood of Pacific cultural pride and brotherhood that influenced players signing up for the island nations of their heritage.
That now just feels like a distant memory and the pressure is on Parish like never before.
What exactly went wrong in the game against England?
A lack of talent can't be used as an excuse for Samoa anymore. Their playing group is too strong and accomplished for ability to be a problem.
There were a few injuries in the England embarrassment – winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow went down with a leg problem and his replacement, Tyrone May, suffered a serious hip injury. Prop Braden Hamiln-Uele also went down, leaving Samoa with just one fit player on the bench.
It explains, in part, their late collapse but there are late collapses and then there is conceding six tries in 16 minutes as Samoa did.
To the man, they looked underdone and underprepared. Samoa were one of the few teams who did not play a warm up match and after the game Parish revealed the side had only had three training sessions together before taking the field.
Part of that is logistical – with so many Panthers players in the squad, who not only played in the grand final but were part of the celebrations afterwards, Samoa were never going to be able to get their best 17 together for very long before they hit the paddock.
Some of the selections also raised questions. Josh Aloiai, a fine front-rower, was played out of position as an edge forward and was targeted by the ruthless English.
Hamlin-Uele, another strong prop, started at lock over Nu Brown and Samoa paid the price as they looked slow and sluggish when faced with England's rapid ball-movement and fast-moving defensive line.
But these are all reasons a team might lose a game. Going down by 54 points, even against one of the best teams in the world, is simply not good enough for Samoa anymore.
The days of being easybeats are supposed to be over. The golden era is meant to have begun. Instead, it's been more of the same.
Where do Samoa go from here?
The good news is Samoa still have time to turn things around.
In their next match, early on Monday morning AEDST, will be against World Cup debutants Greece. The Greeks gave a good account of themselves against France in their tournament opener, but Samoa should win in an absolute canter.
Losing May, Tabuai-Fidow and Hamlin-Uele to injury is a blow and veteran halfback Anthony Milford will be out due to suspension, but Samoa have enough talent to cover the gaps.
They've ramped up the siege mentality as well, closing ranks and refusing to do media interviews in the lead up to the match.
However, making a deep run through the tournament now seems unlikely. Samoa will finish the pool stages with a tricky match against the French, who are no slouches, and given how underwhelming they were in their first match, victory is far from guaranteed.
If they do make the quarter-finals, they'll be pitched into an all-Pasifika showdown with Tonga, international rugby league's newest powerhouse and Mate Ma'a will be favourites to continue their dominance over their old rivals.
It's a far cry from the heady pre-tournament days when a new dawn seemed to be upon Samoa. Unless they get their act together fast, it seems like they're condemned to more of the same as international rugby league's sleeping giant continues it's long slumber.
