Two fallen New Zealand-Samoan rugby greats will be in the thoughts of players from both teams during Wednesday's Test in Apia.
Officials have said former Samoan captain Peter Fatialofa and former All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins will be honoured ahead of the historic Test although details remain unclear how.
Popular prop and Auckland piano mover Fatialofa died of a heart attack 18 months ago and is remembered for promoting Pacific rugby and pleading for the All Blacks to play a Test in the islands for the first time.
Apia-born Collins was killed in a car crash in France in June and there was a strong Samoan element to his funeral in Wellington.
Veteran Samoan lock Kane Thompson was coached by Fatialofa and was a Wellington teammate of Collins.
"They're obviously two legends of the game," Thompson told NZ Newswire.
"Fats is a very important man in Samoan rugby and I remember him very fondly. Jerry's obviously well loved in New Zealand and Samoa.
"They're a couple of people with that Samoan-New Zealand heritage who have brought these two nations together."
All Blacks flanker Jerome Kaino effectively inherited the Test blindside flanker berth when Collins retired in 2006.
Kaino, who was born in American Samoa, is demanding a big game from himself to acknowledge his good friend.
"I've had a think about that the last week or so, how I'll prepare for it in the six jersey," he said.
"It's hard not to think about him. It will be quite emotional. Whatever I do I've got to make sure I do that jersey and Jerry justice and make him proud."
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