Failure to beat the Samoans at Waikato Stadium could cost Wales a place in the quarter-finals and Gatland is demanding that his players match the high standards they set last weekend.

“We were extremely disappointed to lose last week against the Springboks, but we did maintain momentum with aspects of the performance providing a host of positive points to take into Sunday’s match against Samoa,” said Gatland.

“We have re-grouped and the players are looking forward to getting back out on the pitch to largely pick up where they left off last weekend.

“There are one or two areas we know we need to work on but we are looking for much of the same from all involved.

“We could not fault the effort, passion and commitment of the players last week and we have simply said we are looking for the same again against Samoa on Sunday.”

Wales are favourites to beat a side ranked tenth in the world but will be wary after losing to them in the 1991 and 1999 World Cups.

Former Waikato captain Gatland is hoping that the locals who used to cheer for him will now spur on his Welsh side.

“Samoa are going to have a lot of support, as will Fiji when we come back to play them in the final game of our Pool, but we are hoping some of the Waikato people will be getting behind Wales as well.

“We played there on our summer tour of New Zealand last year and I told all of the players what to expect then and we all really enjoyed the experience and the welcome we had in Hamilton.

“It is a special atmosphere on match day, it will be very much like coming home for me and we are hoping all the locals bring their Mooloo Bells and ring them for Wales!”

WALES
15. James Hook - Perpignan
14. George North - Scarlets
13. Jonathan Davies - Scarlets
12. Jamie Roberts – Blues
11. Shane Williams - Ospreys
10. Rhys Priestland - Scarlets
9. Mike Phillips – Bayonne
1. Paul James - Ospreys
2. Huw Bennett - Ospreys
3. Adam Jones - Ospreys
4. Luke Charteris - Dragons
5. Alun Wyn Jones - Ospreys
6. Dan Lydiate - Dragons
7. Sam Warburton – Blues
8. Toby Faletau - Dragons

REPLACEMENTS
16. Lloyd Burns - Dragons
17. Gethin Jenkins - Blues
18. Bradley Davies - Blues
19. Andy Powell – Sale Sharks
20. Tavis Knoyle - Scarlets
21. Scott Williams - Scarlets
22. Leigh Halfpenny - Blues