David Skipwith: Kiwis face major obstacle

The Kiwis themselves have emphasised the fact that their first-up win was just the start of the tournament and would mean nothing if they fail to advance to win the final in Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

The Kiwis' Four Nations win over Australia may have been hard fought but Saturday's clash against Samoa will provide just as big a test for Stephen Kearney's side.

It may even be more difficult in a physical sense, with Samoa certain to make their presence known in the form of bone-rattling tackles and strong running, while the Kiwis also have to deal with the added pressure of meeting raised expectations following their upset victory over the world champions.

The Kiwis themselves have emphasised the fact that their first-up win was just the start of the tournament and would mean nothing if they fail to advance to win the final in Wellington on November 15.

They have made it clear they are looking to build on that performance and develop consistency, therefore anything less than a composed and clinical win at Toll Stadium will be cause for concern.

Samoa showed against England they will not be daunted if they are down on the scoreboard, and their tenacity and determination to match it against the men in black will ensure they put in another committed effort.

The close relationship between many of the Kiwis and Samoan players means both groups understand the psyche of the other team, in particular the importance of matching their opponents physically.

The likes of back-rower Frank Pritchard, captain David Fa'alogo, five-eighth Ben Roberts and winger Antonio Winterstein will be hell bent on taking it to their former national team.

The onus will again be on the Kiwis starting props, Jesse Bromwich and Adam Blair, and back-row trio of Simon Mannering, Kevin Proctor and Jason Taumalolo, to absorb the initial wave and get the Kiwis going forward.

How well either pack can get their side on the front foot will determine how much influence the two hookers, Kiwis No 9 Issac Luke and Samoa's Pita Godinet, have on the match.

Godinet offers plenty on attack with his darting runs out of dummy-half and needs to be closely guarded near the line, but in defence the former Warrior will find himself targeted.

Luke will be chomping at the bit after missing both the Rabbitohs' grand final victory and the win over Australia, and will provide the Kiwis with another point of attack which was missing in Brisbane.

The Kiwis hold an advantage in the halves with the reputations of Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran shading their opposites, Kyle Stanley and Roberts, but wider out there are some intriguing match-ups.

Samoa's centre pairing of Tim Lafai and Joey Leilua both enjoyed strong NRL seasons and play at full-throttle, meaning Dean Whare and Shaun Kenny-Dowall will need to be at their best.