Matt Parish's side fell agonisingly short for the second time in two weeks as Shaun Kenny-Dowall scored for the Kiwis in the 76th minute to break Samoan hearts in a brutal Four Nations clash at Whangarei.
The Samoans also pushed England to the limit last weekend in a 32-26 defeat in Brisbane.
Their second straight loss of the tournament ensures they can't make the Four Nations final in a fortnight.
But there is no doubt Samoa have earned the respect of their rugby league rivals after far exceeding expectations as the 'fourth nation'.
Gutted with the result! great effort by the uso's. If you didn't know about our people before, i'm sure you do now. #toasamoa #2k14
— Ben Roberts (@ben02roberts) November 1, 2014
Proud of the uso's! Tough gig trying to get a win over NZ in NZ with a NZ ref! It is what it is but i tell you, the TOA ARE COMING!
— Dunamis Lui (@Nami_Lui) November 1, 2014
Kiwis hooker Issac Luke, who returned from the two-game suspension that saw him miss South Sydney's NRL grand final triumph, was full of respect for the Samoans after the physical encounter.
Shucks that was a tough game. Massive S/O to the #toasamoa boys for that touch up. Unlucky but the… http://t.co/7fwxORabQd
— issac luke (@issacluke_14) November 1, 2014
Former players also got in on the action.
Congrats to @RLSamoa team on having a red hot crack at a very strong @NZRL_Kiwis team today-much respect to both teams #4Nations @NRL
— Wendell Sailor (@RealBigDell) November 1, 2014
Gutted for @RLSamoa - but the landscape is changing for Pacific RL. Congrats @NZRL_Kiwis - get down to the Gong next week #4Nations #AusvSam
— Frank Puletua (@Puletua8) November 1, 2014
“@ShontayneHape: Happy Halloween @NZRL_Kiwis 👽😈💀 Toa Samoa gave yous a good scare😂👍 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/Zzi0n8yd8F”😂🙈
— Nigel Vagana (@NigelVagana) November 1, 2014
#4Nations geez lucky for kiwi boys. Another proud performance from toa Samoa, but they deserve2b disappointed
— Paul Rauhihi (@PRauhihi) November 1, 2014
Samoa face the Kangaroos in Wollongong next Sunday in their final match of the tournament.