Kind words were exchanged between the players and coaches of the USA and Samoa leading up to Saturday's massive clash between the two rugby nations.

USA kicks off at 11:30am CT against Samoa LIVE on FloRugby

"We have a huge amount of respect for the Samoan people and their rugby team," said USA head coach Gary Gold. "They are hugely fierce competitors and fantastic rugby players. For us it’s all about the creditability plying for our families and our country."

USA captain Blaine Scully, who faced Samoa twice in 2015, the last times the teams met, echoed the sentiments, complimenting Samoa captain Jack Lam, who he knows personally.

 "It’s a real challenge for us against a very very talented Samoan side," said Scully. "Jackie - he’s one of the classiest players in the world. There are players of his caliber are spread across the lineup. But we feel confident in our preparation and we feel like we can do ourselves and our family and our fans justice over the weekend."

Scully said he was excited to be back in Spain, and was "very grateful to return to what is a fantastic rugby community in the Basque region."

This will be a huge challenge, but a reachable one for the USA. Samoa has won all five meetings between the two teams, but the winning margins have averaged just over six. Every game has been close.

"For us it’s not necessarily about the winning or losing," added Gold. "It’s about us improving as a rugby nation. Ultimately it’s about us getting to Rugby World Cuo and being competitive."

Gold has revamped his front row, with UK pros Titi Lamositele (Ferndale, WA), and Joe Taufete'e (Long Beach, CA) back in the side, and he can call on a midfield of Bryce Campbell (Indianapolis, IN), and Paul Lasike (Auckland, NZ by way of Provo, UT). That center pairing is as physically strong and imposing as he could hope for, and he'll need it.

AJ MacGinty will be missed at flyhalf - he's recovering from shoulder surgery - but, as Gold said, "you can't worry about who's not here."

They have enough to worry about on the other side of the ball.

Watch Live