Historic clash the catalyst for a big weekend

Whangarei-based Samoans have vowed to turn up en masse at Toll Stadium to back Toa Samoa on Saturday. Photo / Imran Ali

A tit-for-tat battle for supremacy between Kiwis and Toa Samoa will play out both on and off the pitch at Toll Stadium this weekend if news that "bus-loads" of Samoan supporters will get behind their team is anything to go by.

More than nine buses carrying more than 1000 passionate Samoan fans from Auckland will head to Whangarei on Saturday for the historic Four Nations clash - the first time the Kiwis will play a test at Toll Stadium.

They'll be joined by more than 200 Northland-based Samoans whose vehicles can be seen draped in the Samoan flags later this week.

The Four Nations rugby league test and Whangarei city's 50th anniversary parade are the two main drawcards in a jam-packed Northland weekend of events, which also includes school fairs, markets, a comedy show and a teddy bears' picnic.

Event organisers estimated the league is attracting an extra 5000 visitors alone.

"Everyone's already talking about a big upset. They (local Samoans) have high hopes they can beat the Kiwis," Northland's Samoan community spokesman Maualaivao Ueligitone Sasagi said.

He said it would be an international meeting of two countries with a rich rugby history rather than being just a test on Saturday.

More than 200 Samoans live and work in Northland, particularly Whangarei, and some met Toa Samoa players on Monday for a friendly chat.

Mr Sasagi said his fellow compatriots decided on a full kava ceremony for the team on Tuesday but its management requested that it not happen as players focused on preparing for the test.

Instead, the locals sang a traditional Samoan dance when Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai officially welcomed the team at Toll Stadium yesterday.

"There's heaps of interest, particularly from Auckland, and I've been told that nine buses carrying Samoan fans will be coming up here.

"We in Northland are very excited and we've decided to buy flags and show our support to the boys," he said.

Mr Sasagi said although league was less popular than union on the island, the former had received a lot of promotion lately and that scouts have been keeping an eye on talented players who could secure overseas scholarships.

Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney said it was a blessing to have a big contingent of Samoan fans to the stadium. "That's the beauty of a test played in an area like this. If the Samoans make noise, we probably won't be doing our job," he said.

Ms Mai welcomed both teams and said Whangarei residents should feel proud about hosting the historic test match in its backyard.

Whangarei's name, she said, would be put on the national and international stage through the match. The official welcome started with a hongi by players from both teams followed by a Samoan speech from Mr Sasagi.

Samoan players and officials joined the mayor and others for an impromptu dance while a Samoan song was being played.

Samoan consul Fa'aolotoi Reupena Pogi was also present.

The public can meet players from both teams during a community day at the Kensington Stadium grounds from 10am today.

Toll Stadium's main grandstand has been sold out and tickets to general admission are selling fast. Tickets can be bought online through Ticketek.