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.
