LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Kiwis will kick off their Pacific Championships campaign on home soil in Auckland against a determined Samoa side.
After suffering a heavy loss to the Kangaroos, Samoa is eager to bounce back and make a strong statement in this match.
The atmosphere at Eden Park is expected to be electric, with passionate Samoan fans turning out in force to support their team.
One of the key areas to watch in the opening 15 minutes will be the battle up front, which promises to be intense and will surely justify the ticket price alone.
New Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris, along with his Panthers teammate Moses Leota, will go head to head with Samoa's formidable front row consisting of Junior Paulo, Stefano Utoikamanu, and Terrell May.
This clash of powerhouses is expected to set the tone for the entire match.
Samoa can draw confidence from their performance in the previous year's World Cup, where they outperformed the Kiwis.
Their growth and improvement on the international stage have been evident, and they will be looking to build on that momentum.
Young fullback Sua Fa'alogo, who had a stellar performance against the Kangaroos, will be a player to watch, as he is likely to produce more standout moments in just his second Test match.
The last meeting between these two nations took place at the 2017 World Cup, with the Kiwis emerging victorious with a convincing 38-8 scoreline at Mt Smart Stadium.
Both teams will be aware of this history and eager to make their mark in this highly anticipated rematch.