A Samoan-Kiwi opera singer will perform New Zealand's national anthem at the big showdown at Apia Park today.
Soprano Marlena Ott Devoe will take to the stage this afternoon to pay tribute to the country of her birth.
The 27-year-old last year won the prestigious Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award which has a $30,000 prize.
The diva is no stranger to performing in Samoa on the big stage, having sung with opera trio Sol3 Mio at a fundraising event there two years ago.
Rugby: Talofa lava! Samoa greets the All Blacks
The waiting was endless, the heat relentless and there were only so many pretend Richie McCaw interviews that could be endured before, finally, the real All Blacks skipper entered the arrivals hall at Faleolo International Airport to greet ...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
1x
Chapters
descriptions off, selected
captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
The skydiving trick that was nearly my last
UP NEXT:
NOW PLAYING • Rugby: Talofa lava! Samoa greets the All Blacks
The waiting was endless, the heat relentless and there were only so many pretend Richie McCaw interviews that could be endured before, finally, the real All Blacks skipper entered the arrivals hall at Faleolo International Airport to greet ...
A local Samoan businessman has been picked to perform his country's national anthem, The Banner of Freedom.
Henry Hunkin, who owns an Apia restaurant, is also a keen musician and has performed the island nation's national anthem at past events including the Pacific Nations Cup tournament in 2007.
r newspaper that being asked to perform on such a big stage was a God-given honour.
"I give him all the glory." he said.
"There are so many good singers around - but he has blessed me."
It is understood the boys from Sol3 Mio, who have Samoan heritage, had been lined up to sing the Samoan anthem, but could not make the trip.
An official from the Samoa Rugby Union told local media that they simply "could not afford them".
Rugby: Samoan TV advert 'Le Manu! Game on'
Support for the Manu Samoa has reached fever pitch and has been helped along by local television advertisements calling on locals to get behind their boys.
One of the team's key sponsors - telecommunications company Bluesky - has been ...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
1x
Chapters
descriptions off, selected
captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
The skydiving trick that was nearly my last
UP NEXT:
NOW PLAYING • Rugby: Samoan TV advert 'Le Manu! Game on'
Support for the Manu Samoa has reached fever pitch and has been helped along by local television advertisements calling on locals to get behind their boys.
One of the team's key sponsors - telecommunications company Bluesky - has been ...
Opening shots
Exactly which haka the All Blacks will perform today will not be known until they take to the pitch. Ka Mate might be the most fitting choice. However, Kapa o Pango acknowledges the new generation and the multicultural nature of New Zealand - also illustrated in the team.
Manu Samoa will belt out Siva Tau; calling on their nation to back them in war.
SIVA TAU
Samoa! Tatou o e tau le taua! Tau e matua tau! Fai ia mafai! Le Manu! Le Manu Samoa e, ua malo ona fai o le faiva. Le Manu Samoa e, ua malo ona fai o le faiva. Le Manu Samoa lenei ua ou sau. Leai se isi Manu o le atulaulau. Ua ou sau nei ma le mea atoa. O lou malosi ua atoatoa. Ia e fa'atafa ma le soso ese. Leaga o lenei Manu e uiga ese. Le Manu Samoa. Le Manu Samoa. Le Manu Samoa e omai i Samoa. Le Manu!
Samoa! Let's go to war! Fight fiercely! Work to achieve! Le Manu! The Manu Samoa, may you succeed in your mission x2. The Manu Samoa, here we come. There is no other Manu like ours around. I come with everything I have. My strength is at its peak. Because this Manu (team) is unique. The Manu Samoa. The Manu Samoa. The Manu Samoa who come from Samoa. Le Manu!
Samoa perform Siva Tau. File photo / Getty Images
KAPA O PANGO
Kia whakata hoki au i ahau. Hi aue, hi! Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei. Au, au, aue ha! I ahaha. Ka tu te ihiihi. Ka tu te wanawana. Ki runga i te rangi e tu iho nei, tu iho nei. Hi! Ponga ra! Kapa o Pango! Aue hi! Ponga ra! Kapa o Pango! Aue hi!
...
Let me go back to my first gasp of breath. Let my life force return to the earth. It is New Zealand that thunders now. And it is my time! It is my moment! The passion ignites! This defines us as the All Blacks. And it is my time! It is my moment! The anticipation explodes! Feel the power. Our dominance rises. Our supremacy emerges. To be placed on high. Silver fern! All Blacks! Silver fern! All Blacks! Aue hi!
The All Blacks, perform Kapa o Pango. File photo / Paul Estcourt
