The last time the All Blacks faced Samoa

Mils Muliaina was in fine form the last time the All Blacks took on Samoa. Photo / Getty

The last test between the All Blacks and Samoa...

1) ...was seven years ago. Yes, that long. As with next week's test, it was held on a Wednesday (during a Tri-Nations bye week).

2) ...was the first time the All Blacks played in New Plymouth. The NZRU used Samoa as a backstop - Argentina were the first choice but the Pumas had trouble getting players released.

3) ...involved a debate about whether it deserved test status, given Samoa's weakened squad. The Samoans had struggled to get their European-based players released and were forced to field a reconstructed side from the one which had performed only moderately in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup that year. A 101 - 14 All Blacks cakewalk ensued.

4)...included a hat trick of tries from the All Blacks' fullback Mils Muliaina, who was born in Samoa.

5) ...ended with a tricky conversion by Stephen Donald which took the All Blacks past the century mark for the fifth time in tests. This turned out to be far from Donald's most famous kick.

6) ...involved four All Blacks - Dan Carter, Tony Woodcock, Jerome Kaino and Keven Mealamu - who are set to play in Apia. World Cup certainties Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu - unavailable next week because they are in the Super Rugby final - also played in the New Plymouth match.

Richie McCaw would be added to the previous four, but he missed the 2008 test because of a rib injury. Flanker Alafoti Faosiliva, from English club Bath, survives for Samoa.