Papua New Guinea have lost just one of their last 15 Tests at home, giving Samoa a formidable challenge in Saturday's match in Port Moresby.
The afternoon temperature is expected to reach 32 degrees, but Samoa half Chanel Harris-Tavita said the team would focus on adapting.
"We talked about the quicker we accept it and the less we complain about it, then the better it'll be for us once we are in the game," Harris-Tavita said.
He will start at five-eighth after playing hooker in Samoa's World Cup final against Australia four years ago, where he was knocked unconscious.
Harris-Tavita took a year-long sabbatical after that final.
"I remember coming off after I got knocked out, and I thought we were still playing the semi against England, that's how bad it was," he told AAP in Port Moresby.
"I caught an accidental elbow off Angus Crichton but I can't remember much."
Samoa, fresh from demolishing France, can move closer to the group stages with a win over the Kumuls.
The favourites boast NRL talent, including Jarome Luai and Brian To'o, who are bound for the PNG Chiefs.
Harris-Tavita said he was glad to return alongside teammates from the previous campaign and hoped to go further this time.
Local fans mobbed the team after a private training session, and PNG Prime Minister James Marape visited the camp on Thursday.
"It feels like we are an away team but we also have a lot of support," Gardiner said.