Manu Samoa coach Alama Ieremia says next month's test against the All Blacks in Auckland is ideal preparation for crucial Rugby World Cup qualifying matches.
The teams will clash as part of a Pacific rugby double header, called the 'Pasifika Challenge', at Eden Park with Tonga playing Wales in the curtain raiser.
Alama Ieremia said the Auckland test was a welcome addition to their calendar.
"It's great that we've got a chance to play the All Blacks again and this is great for our build-up as well, going into the June-July internationals, which are very important World Cup qualification games for Manu Samoa," he said.
"We play Wales straight after the All Blacks in Samoa so it's great to have two tier one countries in build-up, leading to those qualification games later."
Samoa have played the All Blacks six times previously, the last being the historic test in Apia two years ago when Ieremia was Manu Samoa assistant coach.
"That was preparation going into the 2015 World Cup. That was quite an experienced side and guys were coming to the end of their careers so this time around we're rebuilding Manu Samoa," he said.
"We've had a few new players come in last year but this year we've definitely got to step it up to the mark and it's about performance and we've got to pick our best players that are available and that are playing well so we will definitely be doing that.
"Especially when you're facing the All Blacks, which we all know is number one team in the world, we need to put our best foot forward."