Manu Samoa captain Chris Vui, believes the key to Manu Samoa’s 34-9 opening World Cup win over Russia was their team mantra; stay in the blue.

“I was pretty proud that the boys stayed composed, and we didn’t let a try in,” the 26-year-old skipper said.

It was a bit of a rough-and-tumble game at times, with three yellow cards given out for bad tackles and a fair amount of niggle off the ball.

“You can’t control that stuff, all you can do is control what’s in the now," Vui said.

The blindside flanker from whose parents are from the villages of Foaluga, Lano and Sa’asa’ai said staying in the blue is about keeping a calm head, and remaining focussed on the job.

“Stay in the moment, don’t get caught up,” said lock Senio Toleafoa.

Toleafoa came off the bench during the game, and said he was itching to get out on the field.

“I was like ahh, man, when am I going to get on, I was nervous. After the first set, I was pretty sweet after that.

“Trying not to let the moment get in my head, just focus on my job.”

Toleafoa said that was a real fight given the great atmosphere, that the Samoan fans were loud and they definitely noticed them.

“We really appreciate the support, especially from the Samoans that were there.

“And even the Japanese people that were there, waving our flag and stuff like that.”

Vui agreed that the support was huge on Tuesday night.

“We can feel it everywhere we go,” he said.

When asked how he kept ‘in the blue’ himself, Vui joked he was more nervous for the post-match TV interview than the game itself:

“Having to speak Samoan, and obviously my Samoan’s not good but I always try my best.”

The captain said he was chuffed with the win, especially with a big game coming up against Scotland on Monday.

“So good to get that game out of the way,” Vui said.

The Manu play their second game of the World Cup against Scotland in Kobe on Monday night.