Transcript
The Reds arrived in Apia on Sunday, four days ahead of the Blues.
Captain Samu Kerevi says it was important they made time to adapt to the humid conditions and says they've received a warm welcome.
"When we first landed we went over to a Samoan family's house...and they put on a massive feed for us. The Samoan community have been really embracing us as we got here - the kids and the people they've been turning up to our training sessions and supporting us there so it's been really awesome."
77-test All Black Jerome Kaino, who was born in American Samoa, arrived on Tuesday with Pauliasi Manu for some early promotional work, while both teams took part in training clinics with local players and coaches.
Kaino also visited in April and reckons the Auckland franchise will have plenty of support in the stands come kickoff.
"You see the Blues flags flying in town, flying on cars so it's all exciting as we draw nearer to the game...I haven't seen many Reds flags to be honest. One fact that I know: there will definitely be some blue, whether it's the Manu Samoa blue or the Blues blue. Regardless, as long as there's blue at the stadium we will be happy with that."
The Blues region is home to about 150,000 Samoans while the team itself has a number of players with Samoan heritage, as well as head coach Tana Umaga.
"We've seen the amount of Samoan players that are playing overseas and it's good to take something back to the islands. We saw it with obviously other teams going to Fiji and now it's Samoa's time. It will showcase what they can do and how they can cater for these big games, which is a positive."
The family of All Black lock Patrick Tuipolotu emigrated to New Zealand from Samoa.
The 24 year old was bestowed the chiefly title of Sa'u, from the village of Apolima last year.
"To be able to go back home and pretty much give back: you see a lot of polynesian boys play for top teams like the All Blacks, Aussie, all over the world and to go back and see where we come from I think will be a big part of getting up to play there."
Blues fullback Melani Nanai was born in Apia and represented Samoa at Under 20s level while Blues brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane are the sons of former Samoan international Eddie Ioane, who was a part of the 1991 World Cup side.
Meanwhiole the Reds have included six players with Samoan heritage in their matchday 22, including fullback Karmichael Hunt, who's just been called up to the Wallabies squad.
Temperatures are forecast to reach 32 degrees on game day and should still be in the high twenties come kick-off at 830 local time.
This is Vinnie Wylie.
