Samoan Bettah Roreta Areta wasn’t planning to come to Kobe for Samoa’s second Rugby World Cup game against Scotland, but didn’t want to miss out after their win over Russia.

Areta, who is from Vailele and Salelologa, has lived in Fukuoka, Japan for a year as she studies towards a Masters in Environmental Management at the University of Kitakyushu.

She had already bought a ticket for Samoa’s pool game against Ireland in Fukuoka, and was spurred to make the trip up to Kobe for Monday night’s match as well.

“After Samoa won the game against Russia, it motivated me to come, I really had to go to the game,” Areta said.

“Hope we get up with a win tonight,” she said.

“I’m pretty sure Samoa will win by five points.”

With another year of her studies in Japan to go, Areta said it’s a very nice country to live in:

“People are so nice, they’re all so kind.

“For instance today I got lost, and a lady and her daughter helped me out, showed me which bus to go on.”

She said the people of Japan are similar to the people of Samoa in that way.

“People here are so friendly, and the food is so nice.”

Areta thinks all three of Samoa’s remaining pool games against Scotland, Japan and Ireland will be really tough:

“Go Manu, all the best for the next games.

“Don’t think about what people are saying, those couch coaches, just do what you are good at.”