A burning desire to avenge their defeat in the 2022 final is driving Samoa ahead of Sunday's Rugby League World Cup semifinals against three-time defending champions Australia.
The Samoans lost the title decider to the dominant Kangaroos 30-10 in England four years ago and it still hurts.
"Look, to lose a grand final like that, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't burning for the guys who were there," skipper Junior Paulo told reporters ahead of Sunday night's shot at redemption in Sydney.
"But that's '22 and this is 2026 and, with the squad that we've got now, everyone's just keen on moving forward and obviously you want to look back and find ways to motivate the team.
"I don't think that's going to be a problem for us this week."
Samoa have made just one change from their pulsating 20-18 defeat to fierce Pacific rivals Tonga in their final group game last weekend with Ronald Volkman replacing the injured Chanel Harris-Tavita at five-eighth.
Parramatta Eels prop Paulo said victory over Kevin Walters' Australia would be among the country's greatest feats.
"It's a privilege to be in this position for us and it's an opportunity to be a part of history and hopefully what can be one of the biggest upsets," he said.
Walters has named the same starting 13 that crushed the Cook Islands 66-6 to leave then unbeaten in the group phase last week.
That means livewire Reece Walsh is again at fullback instead of fellow superstar James Tedesco who starts on the bench.
"Samoa were very impressive in a physical battle which had a lot of emotion last weekend against Tonga and we know we are in for a tough contest on Sunday night," said Walters.
"It's going to be a great occasion in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium, and we've got to meet the occasion with our best performance of the tournament."
The winner will play either New Zealand or Tonga, who meet on Saturday in the other semi-final at Newcastle, north of Sydney.
Kiwi Kalyn Ponga is in line for a miraculous comeback just three weeks after breaking his arm in their World Cup opener against Australia, with the fullback on the bench.
But New Zealand are without winger Ronaldo Mulitalo who is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off in their 78-0 rout of Fiji.
Tonga are eyeing a first-ever World Cup final and centre Rob Toia is daring to dream that they can go all the way.
"The belief within the group's so high, we feel like we can win the competition," said Toia.
The last time Tonga met New Zealand at a World Cup was in 2017 at Hamilton when they scored a 28-22 upset win.
In the semifinals of the women's World Cup, which is being played concurrently, defending
champions Australia meet Fiji on Sunday fresh from smashing Wales by a record 124-6 in their last group game.
New Zealand and Samoa face off in Newcastle on Saturday in the other last four clash.