Paul Gallen says he has no animosity towards Nelson Asofa-Solomona, despite a bitter build-up to their heavyweight bout in Sydney on Friday.
"I wish him all the best, but I'm here to destroy him tomorrow night. I'm here to finish him tomorrow night," Gallen said.
The former Cronulla and NSW State of Origin captain had earlier called Asofa-Solomona "selfish", but said he was not trying to talk down his opponent.
"Mate, he's doing his best for himself and that's all we ever do in life, so I'm not trying to talk him down," Gallen said.
Asofa-Solomona, a two-time premiership winner with Melbourne, has at least two Samoan tattoos, and both his parents were born in Samoa before moving to New Zealand.
Yet the 30-year-old, who has played 16 Tests for New Zealand, says he never seriously considered representing Samoa.
He said he had been approached "throughout the duration of my career", but chose to remain with New Zealand.
"Once I pick, I stick," he said.
With Samoa preparing to face Australia in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, Asofa-Solomona backed the Kiwis to reach the final and win the tournament.
He said he wanted the team to "raise that trophy for New Zealand", after difficult campaigns at the past two World Cups.
Other players eligible through their heritage, including Samoan stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Payne Haas, have switched from Australia or New Zealand to represent Samoa.