It was supposed to be the battle for a place in the World Cup semi-finals but instead it is a fight to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.

France and Samoa clash in the playoff for ninth place in Sunday's game at CUA Stadium after both nations finished last in their pools.

It is a tremendous fall from grace as both teams at one stage or another were favoured to top their group and play off for a chance to meet Australia in the semi-finals.

But heavy losses in their final group games - France belted 42-6 by Fiji last week and the Samoans thumped 34-16 by Ireland last Wednesday - has left the two fancied nations fighting it out to avoid last place.

"We need to be motivated for the game and play as well as we can play and be competitive," said France coach John Monie.

"The team certainly let itself down versus Fiji ... some of the players believed a bit of the publicity ... Fiji were just waiting for us.

"We want to improve (on Sunday). All the teams in groups two and three have all won just one game.

"The players want to play well for their country and well for their own personal satisfaction."

And both teams will have to do it with key personnel missing.

Samoan captain Nigel Vagana is out with injury forcing former Kiwi Test halfback Ben Roberts into five-eighth and Alby Talipeau into the No.7 jumper.

Queensland Cup fullback Tangi Ropati has been handed a Test debut while Brisbane-bound backrower Ben Te'o will also get his first start of the World Cup for the Samoans.

Even though Samoa is coming off just a four-day turnaround it is the French who have the biggest injury concerns as Christophe Moly will become their third hooker in as many games after James Wynne (elbow) and Julien Rinaldi (cheekbone) both picked up injuries in the pool matches.

Halfback Maxime Gresque is out after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury, with Thomas Bosc moving to No.7, John Wilson to five-eighth and 101kg centre Teddy Sadaoui into the backline.

Leeds second-rower Eric Anselme also returns after missing the Fiji loss with concussion.

"We need more direction from our halves this week," said Monie.

France: Jared Taylor, Sebastien Planas, Teddy Sadaoui, Sebastien Raguin, Dimitri Pelo, John Wilson, Thomas Bosc, Adel Fellous, Christophe Moly, Olivier Elima, Jerome Guisset (capt), Eric Anselme, Gregory Mounis. Interchange: Jean-Phillippe Baile, Mathieu Griffi, Laurent Carrasco, Jamal Fakir, Remi Casty, Justin Murphy (two to be omitted).

Samoa: Tangi Ropati, Misi Taulapapa, Francis Meli, George Carmont, Matt Utai, Ben Roberts, Alby Talipeau, Frank Puletua, Terence Seuseu, Kylie Leulua'i, Tony Puletua (capt), Ben Te'o, Harrison Hansen. Interchange: Joseph Paulo, Ali Lauitiiti, Wayne McDade, Smith Samau

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