Toa Samoa are ready to begin their Rugby League World Cup campaign and take on the Kiwis at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium tonight.
Canberra Raiders Centre Joseph Leilua will go up against his team mate Jordan Rapana who will be playing for the Kiwis.
Leilua says he’s ready to put relationships aside and put everything on the line for Samoa.
“Me and Rapana have a close bond but when we get out on the field we’re enemies, so I can’t wait. Good luck to him and good luck to myself."
Young Warriors player Bunty Afoa will be making his World Cup debut tonight with the Toa Samoa team.
The 21-year-old says he's looking forward to a big clash.
“It’s my first World Cup so this is pretty exciting for me to play against the Kiwis," he says. "This is where I stay and they got their best players coming up so it’s going to be a good challenge for me.”
Toa Samoa fans flooded the Mangere Town Centre Mall in South Auckland Thursday in a Meet and Greet with the boys.
Afoa acknowledged the community's support and says it means a lot to the team.
“It’s awesome to see our Pacific Islanders coming out and supporting us. You hardly see them come out. They’re working trying to provide for their families and we all understand."