League: Blair the main attraction in Whangarei

Whangarei-born Kiwis prop Adam Blair. Photo / Getty Images.

Whangarei-born Kiwis prop Adam Blair is excited to be turning out in front of his home town in Saturday's Four Nations test against Samoa at Toll Stadium.

The 28-year-old Wests Tigers forward was the main attraction at today's junior Nines tournament, attended by both teams as part of their promotional commitments in the lead-up to the first ever league test in Northland.

"It's surreal actually. To play a test match in Whangarei is something New Zealand Rugby League have set up really well," Blair said.

"It's obviously an honour to be back at home. I grew up playing on these fields here and had a game on Toll Stadium which is the old Okara Park so I'm just really excited.

"There's not many times where you get a few of your idols coming up here, and to play a test match or to even turn up to a Nines tournament. There's a lot of kids here that are really excited to meet us. It's something they'll remember for a long time and that they'll cherish."

Blair has also proven popular with friends and family wanting to catch up with him and a large chunk of the Kiwis' ticket allocation has been snapped up by his sizable contingent of supporters.

"I'm more than happy to put myself out there when I'm back in my home town. It's good. I'm enjoying everyone's support. I'll have a lot of friends and family coming down, mum's come over from Aus, my brothers and sisters. I know everyone is pumped for the test match and I'm looking forward to it. "

Much of the pre-game talk has centred around the physical contest that takes place each time these two sides meet but Blair believes the Kiwis need to keep their composure.

"Every time we play against the Samoans it's always a physical battle but for ourselves it's about not getting caught up in that. You don't want to get caught up in all the emotion of the game. If we just go out there and play out role, do our jobs and stick to our structures we'll go well."

With 28 tests under his belt, Blair is the third most capped Kiwis player, behind captain Simon Mannering (37) and returning hooker Issac Luke (29), and is looking to lead the way for his younger teammates.

"It's just about going out there and enjoying yourself. I'm one of the older guys in the team. I know that there's not much time there for me and there's a lot of good kids coming through. For me this tournament's about enjoying myself and just living up the moments I have left with the Kiwis jersey."

Blair was a workhorse in the win over the Kangaroos, playing 56 minutes and getting through 10 hit-ups and 29 tackles, the third highest behind Mannering (30) and Kevin Proctor (31).

He feels comfortable being back in the front-row after filling a spot in the back-row for Wests Tigers throughout the NRL season.

"I played lock a lot for the club so it's a very similar role. It's a little bit more of an easier job. You just run hard and get the ball but it's about doing the little things around the field for the team and making sure that I'm there to pick up the scraps."

Blair expects the Kiwis bench forwards to make another strong impact on the match to follow up their dynamic contribution in Brisbane.

"Our bench was outstanding for us. They came on and made another difference, they picked up from where the starting team left off. That's what we want, for every bench player to eventually come on and do the job and leave nothing in the tank."

The addition of Luke will give the Kiwis more attacking thrust around the ruck, and Blair expects him to turn in a big performance after missing both the Rabbitohs grand final win and last week's triumph over Australia.

"I think he's just excited, as anyone would be after missing one of those big games and then another big test match. He's pumped, ready to go, you can see it at training that he's excited. He's moving around really good and the boys are just happy to have him there."