Premiership star Seilala Mapusua will be back in Samoa colours on Friday night when they face Wales at the Millennium Stadium © Getty Images

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Samoa are set to provide the latest example of excellence in the face of adversity when they line up against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night.

The South Sea Islanders are still reeling from the recent tsunami that rocked the region and claimed the lives of 123 people but centre Seilala Mapusua insists the side will do its best to put a smile back on the faces of the nation.

"It has been really emotional," said the London Irish star. "It's proved exceptionally difficult with so many of us being over here in Europe and so far away. We have seen pictures on the television and internet, and we've talked to our families back home.

"But seeing it in the boys' faces who have come over here on this tour from Samoa when they talk about what happened, has really hit home for us. We are getting a kind of first-hand experience from the boys, which is just adding to the emotion.

"Because of the size of Samoa, everyone knows someone who was related to someone who was involved. It has been a tough six weeks. If we can ease the pain by bringing some joy back to the nation through our rugby, we will definitely be trying our best to achieve that."

The disaster has struck at the heart of the squad with village of coach Fuimaono Tafua amongst the worst affected while two members of forwards coach Peter Fatialofa's extended family died and one player lost a close relative.

Mapusua is actively involved in fund-raising efforts, while an extensive Welsh Rugby Union bucket collection will take place before and during tomorrow's game.

"We are still putting things in place," he added. "Charity games are being organised, and we will continue doing things like that. "The support we've had has been phenomenal, but once the buzz dies down and people move on, we know there is still a lot of work to do. We will continue to do all we can on this side of the world."

The match will be beamed live in Samoa at 6.30 on Saturday morning, local time, and despite the team's preparation being hampered by all kinds of logistical problems, Mapusua expects a fiercely-competitive performance.

"It is tough," he admitted. "We still had members of our squad arriving on Monday, and one was travelling on Wednesday, but I don't suppose we know any different.

"The Samoan attitude has always been to just play the cards we are dealt and to get on with it. There won't be any excuses - a Test match is a Test match, even if the preparation isn't ideal. We don't have the luxuries that many other sides have - it is just not a reality - so I guess we have just got to get on with it.

"As people, we always love to have a smile on our face, which I suppose is expressed through the way we play rugby. We are the last people who want to be out there chasing kicks all day.

"We stick to our strengths, which is holding on to the ball and having a go - that has always been our mentality. It might look like chaos at times, but it is a calculated risk. Yes, it costs us (financially) to play for Samoa, but it is a cost that any Samoan rugby player would be willing to pay.

"We get an allowance, and it is a lot better now than it has been in the past. And for the guys who have come over from Samoa, this tour is huge for them - it is how they are feeding their families. What we experience when we are in this squad is priceless."

The Wales clash provides rare exposure against an International Rugby Board tier one country. England, Scotland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have never played a Test match in Samoa, while the last major nation the islanders hosted was Ireland more than six years ago.

"The lack of exposure against tier one countries is frustrating - the last time a tier one nation came to Samoa was Ireland in 2003," added Mapusua whose side also tackle France and Italy this month. "It's a long time, and it would do wonders for rugby in the Pacific Islands if we did have these regular fixtures.

"If we were able to have regular games against tier one nations, I think the rugby throughout all the islands would improve, right down to grass-roots level. And given the right amount of time and resources, I think we could really push a lot of the tier one nations.

"I am expecting a very physical game against Wales, but our aim is to spoil the party. We hope to be a speed bump in Wales' progress."