Support is strong for both teams across Samoa, where even the local buses are helping promote the historic match. Photo / Dean Purcell
Support is strong for both teams across Samoa, where even the local buses are helping promote the historic match. Photo / Dean Purcell
Five days from the historic test between the All Blacks and Manu Samoa, Apia - and the villages which line the road from Faleolo Airport to Samoa's capital - have put on quite a show.
The first thing one notices when descending to the tarmac is the heat. The weather report on arrival today - cloudy and 31C - did little to cushion the impact of walking into what felt like a wall of hot air, and the fans spinning in the small arrivals hall did little to ease the humidity.
But the biggest impression is the effort to which the various communities have gone to celebrate next Wednesday's match at Apia Park, the first test played by the All Blacks in the Pacific Islands.
Flags are everywhere - they line the main airport thoroughfare and fly from cars. Banners swing across the Main West Coast Rd. And they're not only carrying the red, white and blue of Manu Samoa, but the silver fern and the black and white is here too, often on opposite sides of the road. The respect for both nations and teams is obvious.
Pride is also obvious, not only in what is about to happen, but also what already has. The village of former heavyweight boxer David Tua - Faleatiu - is celebrated as such with a "David Tua Village" banner and a home-made "Tuaman" street sign.
Further along, another village celebrates the roots of Manu Samoa captain Ofisa Treviranus, who plays for London Irish.
The grass verges are being cut in readiness, the finishing touches made on the painted boulders and coloured-in coconuts. There is a feeling of anticipation, but also a willingness to savour the moment.
That is being added to by the arrival of rugby supporters, some wearing commemorative jerseys - one half blue and white, the other black and white, inscribed with: "Manu Samoa v New Zealand, Apia, 2015". On the back is the number "15".
Afamasaga Si'alesa Lilomaiava, a former Manu Samoa player and the high chief of Lepea, told the Samoa Observer the test was a "lifetime opportunity".
Away from the excitement, a hint of cold, hard reality lurks. The big blue letters on a white sign in the capital seem to sum up the challenge facing a Manu Samoa team - ranked ninth in the world - who are up against the defending world champions. It says: "Go Manu Samoa, nothing is impossible with God."
Samoan-Kiwi haka salutes two legends
Pipa performers will deliver their tribute to Jerry Collins and Peter "Fats" Fatialofa at a special event in Apia before the test. Photo / Brett Phibbs
A synchronised Samoan and Kiwi haka will pay tribute to two rugby legends in the lead-up to next week's big test in Apia.
Jerry Collins and Peter "Fats" Fatialofa will be given a salute at the All Blacks and Manu Samoa test at Apia Park next Wednesday.
A group of Auckland performers has been tasked with coming up with a piece to honour each former player.
It has been almost a month since Collins and his partner, Alana Madill, were killed in a car crash in France. Their baby daughter, Ayla, survived and only recently emerged from an induced coma in hospital.
Fatialofa - affectionately known as "Fats" - suffered a heart attack two years ago on his way to a radio interview in Samoa.
Fourteen graduates from the Pacific Institute Performing Arts (Pipa), in Avondale, will travel to Samoa this weekend, ready for their big performance.
Pipa co-director Goretti Wickman said the group's piece would include traditional and contemporary Maori, Samoan and Pasifika routines.
"In our haka at the beginning, we've got a bit of music on and where the boys just stand there. There's a voice-over - someone speaking entirely in Samoan.
"Then two performers - one in an All Blacks shirt and the other in a Manu Samoa shirt - step forward and start doing their respective haka. The two performers represent Jerry and Peter and we honour them that way."
In January, the New Zealand High Commission in Samoa approached Pipa, asking for a special routine to honour the late Fatialofa.
The performance became even more poignant after the sudden death of Collins.
Performer Daya Sao-Mafiti, 24, said being a part of such a big event was exciting for many of the boys; some of whom have never been to Samoa.
"It's a pretty good experience and it's not often that opportunities like this come around, so we're really excited to perform in Samoa."
The group will perform their tribute at a rugby experience event in Apia a day before the match.
