Rugby League: Kiwis prepare for physical Samoans

Winger Manu Vatuvei is excited to be back in the Kiwis side after sitting out their emphatic win over the Kangaroos. Photo / Getty Images.

The Kiwis are expecting to confront a confident and physical Samoan side in Saturday's Four Nations clash in Whangarei.

Winger Manu Vatuvei is excited to be back in the Kiwis side after sitting out their emphatic win over the Kangaroos in Brisbane, but is wary of their opponents following Samoa's impressive outing against England.

"It will be a tough, physical game. If the weather stays like this it's going to be slippery," Vatuvei said following this morning's rain-soaked training run.

"Samoa has got to take a lot of confidence from their game last week and will come here to do their best and we've just got to stick to what we do best. They're going to be quite physical so we've just got be really strong in our forwards and on the edges too. If we can stick with them for the whole 80 I think we can do the job."

After debuting for the Kiwis back in 2005, the 28-year-old is set to make his 25th test appearance in the black jersey.

The Kiwis are sure to rely on his strong running on kick-returns to get their sets started with momentum and Vatuvei is clear about the boxes he needs to tick in his preparation.

"I've just got to stick to what I do best, stick to my game, because that's how I got here. There are little things on defence and attack that I need to focus on. They've got Daniel Vidot on my side so I've got a lot to work on."

One of those work-on's is his handling under the high ball, but Vatuvei is confident he'll be prepared for any aerial assault after catching Shaun Johnson's towering spiral punts.

"Any punt, any day is really hard but if you catch a few of those it gives you confidence every time. We've just got to keep practicing that before and after training. Definitely, they'll be testing us, especially if the weather is like this. They will try to get the ball up high just to try to stop us from getting our momentum. We've just got to catch the ball, take it up and carry the next one."

Kiwis management have been mindful of not over-loading the players early in the week, with several still recovering from bumps and bruises from Saturday's test.

"The coaching staff has taken that on board and given the boys a bit of a rest because we've had a long season and coming to the end of the year it is pretty tough but the workload has been good."

Centre Dean Whare was rested from today's session after limping out of yesterday's training with a groin complaint but Vatuvei was confident he will be right to take his place in the side.

"Dean's form has been awesome this whole year to get his body right is the most important thing. We want every person to be 100 per cent when they take the field and we've got confidence that he will be and it will just come down to him and how he feels."

The mood in the Kiwis camp was still high after Saturday's success but the squad are intent on building their performances each week throughout the tournament.

"It's always a good feeling when you get a win especially over Australia but that's just the start of it. We've just got to carry that on and take it up another level every week."