Manu Samoa

The team is eager to take on Tonga on home soil in a much anticipated game at the Teufaiva Stadium.

It has been eight years since the Ikale Tahi played on home ground and Saturday’s game will be the first international match since the stadium was given the all clear by World Rugby officials earlier this month to host test matches.

As the visitors checked into Tanoa International Dateline Hotel yesterday afternoon, the Digicel team were ready to provide the team with assistance on Visitor SIMs and Top Up.

Wales bagged a second consecutive win over a Pacific team, beating Manu Samoa 19-17 after trailing for most of the match.

Wing Steffan Evans scored in the 72nd minute to win it for Wales.

Earlier Alapati Leiua and Manu Leiataua had crossed the line for Samoa.

Robin McBryde told BBC Wales his team showed immense character.

"After going 10-0 down early on in the first half, it's like 20-0 in these conditions, you know, and we stayed in there and we soaked it up," McBryde said.

The Samoan Rugby Union is dedicating the match to the cause of gender equality, as they look to get more women involved in sport generally, and specifically into women's sevens and fifteen a side rugby.

It'll be the first meeting between the Manu and Wales on Samoan soil since 1994, when the home team won by 34 points to 9.

But the SRU's Chief Executive, Vincent Fepuleai, says coach Alama Ieremia will do well to repeat that result this time, in what are likely to be very wet conditions at Apia Park.

He made the appeal in Parliament this morning during the 2017-2018 Budget Estimates debate noting that this Friday’s international fixture against the Red Dragons from Wales is crucial for Manu Samoa’s build up to the next World Cup.

“Lest we forget, many of the All Blacks are eligible to play for Samoa but they have chosen New Zealand and that is their right.

“However taken into consideration the financial sacrifices and commitment by our Manu Samoa players to represent their country despite our limited resources speaks volumes for these patriots.

Paul Alo-Emile gets his opportunity at tight head prop, with Census Johnston having to return to New Zealand for personal reasons.

Galu Taufale is set to earn his first cap on the openside flank, while Alafoti Faosiliva earns a start at number eight.

Faifili Levave and Vavae Tuilagi are set to add loose forward impact off the bench.

Following on from tonight's game and another against Wales next week, Samoa enter the Pacific Nations Cup which also doubles as the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers where they'll face fierce rivals Fiji and Tonga.

Manu Samoa coach Alama Ieremia said getting to play the All Blacks as a precursor is like a Christmas wish coming early.

"To play in a double header, it just went from bonus to bonus to bonus. I'm really excited about that, the team's really excited about that.

The 30-year-old wrote on Instagram: “Injuries are all part and parcel of being a rugby player but a setback is always a setup for a bigger comeback.

“Gutted I don’t get the chance to play for my county this time round but wishing all the boys and management all the very best as the (sic) prepare for a very big campaign a head (sic).”

Samoa kick off their schedule against New Zealand at Eden Park on Friday, June 16 and also face Wales before two World Cup qualifying matches against Tonga and Fiji in July.

Kieron Fonotia who held up the Crusaders midfield until he left to play for Welsh club Osprey last year is one of eight new players called up by Head Coach Namulauulu Alama Ieremia. While former first, and second five eighth Aaron Mauger has joined the squad as an Assistant Coach.

“I am very humbled and excited about this opportunity,” Mauger said in a press statement.

“Manu Samoa Rugby has always had a strong place in my heart due to family bloodlines and I have always been a close follower and proud supporter of the team over the years.”

Eight new caps have been picked in the 35-man squad for upcoming internationals against the All Blacks, Wales, Tonga and Fiji, including Ospreys midfielder Kieron Fonotia, Queensland Reds centre Henry Taefu and Samoa sevens star Tila Mealoi.

But Ieremia said there's also a wealth of experience, with the return of 14 players who did not feature on November's end of season tour, such as first five Tusi Pisi, flanker Faifili Levave and utility back Tim Nanai Williams.

France-based trio Paul Alo-Emile, Masalosalo Tutaia and Auvasa Faleali'i have been called up alongside Ospreys midfielder Kieron Fonotia, Queensland Reds centre Henry Taefu, Samoa 10s representative Bronson Fotuali'i-Tauakipulu, Sydney-based Kelly Meafou and Samoa sevens star Tila Mealoi.