Ronaldo Mulitalo is relishing the prospect of facing Cronulla teammate KL Iro at Christchurch's new stadium when New Zealand meet the Cook Islands.
"Obviously a good mate of mine at club land," Mulitalo said.
"Over a couple of beers we've told each other we're going to give it to each other, so I'm really looking forward to that contest."
The Kiwis head into the match after losing to Australia in Sydney, where they felt they had missed a golden chance to make a statement.
Mulitalo said the defeat had not shaken the team's confidence, and that they could improve by executing better.
"It's just little things about execution. We've got world-class players here that know how to play footy, and it's about getting that together now."
He credited New Zealand's forwards for their work against Australia, but said the backs had not made enough of the chances created.
"I think the forwards did an awesome job," he said.
"I think us (backs) probably let ourselves down there with execution stuff. But we'll be better for it."
Mulitalo said the team would review its missed opportunities and believed the outside backs had a key role in building on the platform.
"the forwards set the platform, but us outside backs, we set up the rest of it."