The Manu Samoa squad to face the All Blacks has an experienced tinge but will face the age-old difficulty of swiftly shaking off cobwebs in a bid to be competitive from the get-go.
The world's 14th ranked team only assembled in Auckland at the weekend, just weeks after this testwas confirmed. They have a big month ahead. Next Friday they will host Wales in Apia before two critical Pacific Nations Cup/Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Tonga and Fiji. Victory in the PNC will see them qualify directly for the World Cup, which will remove some of the stress.
There are familiar faces among the 23 named. Chiefs utility back Tim Nanai-Williams will suit up on the left wing, though his ankle was strapped with ice after a long training today at the windswept Marist club grounds in Panmure. At least 11 of the 23 were born, grew up or played a lot of rugby in the Auckland region, which should help attract a lot of their support, who have twice had to cross the Harbour Bridge to watch Samoa play the All Blacks in Albany.
Coach Alama Ieremia, who played for both Samoa and the All Blacks, cannot guarantee the scoreline or performance, but he does guarantee his charges will bring as much intensity and passion as the 1993 Manu Samoa did in their last Eden Park test against the All Blacks, a vibrant clash the home side took 35-13 but not after an almighty and bruising tussle. That Samoa side was very useful, as is this 23, but they may battle to gain parity at set-piece.
"We've picked guys to play with tempo. The All Blacks are not a team you experiment with, so this is our strongest squad. We'll find out where we are at as a team after this Friday. The excitement of playing the All Blacks is something we embraced early on and we fitted it into our build-up. There's a lot of history at Eden Park, and a lot of players are from Auckland., plus it is a (Pasifika Challenge) double-header," Ieremia says.
Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i will take the captaincy armband, as wing David Lemi is injured, while midfielder Rey Lee-Lo is not yet ready for this weekend. But Ospreys and former Crusaders centre Kieron Fonotia will debut, while 36-year-old veteran prop Census Johnston, who has retired at least once, will anchor the scrum in his 57th test appearance. Former Auckland halfback Auvasa Faleali'i is on the bench.
Ieremia, who has Aaron Mauger on his coaching staff, says he has no concerns about the group forming a tight bond.
"It's part of our make-up an DNA that we can come together very quickly. Spirits are high, which makes it easy for rugby content."
