The Kiwis are looking to put a nightmare build-up behind them and get their Rugby League World Cup campaign off to a winning start in tonight's clash against Samoa at Mt Smart Stadium.
New Zealand have been written off by many critics following the well-publicised defections of four players to Tonga, and the loss of assistant coach Garth Brennan who was last week appointed new head coach of the Gold Coast Titans NRL club.
Despite numerous disruptions, coach David Kidwell remains under immense pressure to get his side firing, having only achieved one victory in six starts since he replaced former New Zealand test coach Stephen Kearney last September.
Samoa have enjoyed a low-key build-up by comparison, with the Matt Parish-coached side largely going under the radar, with much of the pre-tournament focus centering on their opponents problems and Tonga's highly rated tournament prospects.
Tonight's match will be just the fourth meeting between the two nations, while several players due to take the field are dual Kiwis-Samoa internationals, highlighting the close association between the two countries.
