8 Jul 2015

All Blacks comfortable in Apia heat

6:22 am on 8 July 2015

The All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is playing down the impact of the heat and humidity in Apia ahead of their first test of the year against Samoa, which kicks off this afternoon.

It's overcast and forecast to reach 30 degrees today with suggestions the All Blacks will struggle to adjust having come out of a New Zealand winter.

McCaw though says with Samoa having only one locally based player the local side will have to cope as well.

"Probably expected it to be hotter...(but) both teams have got to deal with it and a lot of their boys probably haven't been here in the last week or so in this heat and to be honest it's not actually that bad and if it's like this tomorrow it'll be perfect. I'd much rather play in this than in freezing cold," he said.

A huge crowd lined the streets of Apia yesterday as the All Blacks travelled through the city in decorated, open-sided Samoan buses.

The Manu Samoa team hit the pavement, perhaps showing they could handle the heat which they believe will give them the homeground advantage.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw (left) and coach Steve Hansen are comfortable in the Apia heat.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw (left) and coach Steve Hansen are comfortable in the Apia heat. Photo: Photosport

The All Blacks visited Apia's Marist Brothers Primary School, which has been attended by a number of Manu Samoa and All Blacks players during the years.

Teacher Lui Malaki said the students, teachers and parents had all been excited about the visit.

"We support both the teams. We feel blessed and very privileged to have the All Blacks here and for the first time we're seeing them up close and it's been an honour."

Today's match kicks off at 2pm.