Otago and Highlanders veteran lock Filipo Levi will lead a Samoan team stacked with relatively unknown players against the All Blacks in their one-off Test in New Plymouth tomorrow night.
With no access to many of their premier European-based players and with some New Zealand provinces unwilling to part with eligible players, coach Niko Palamo has had to scramble together a side that will struggle to match New Zealand.
Levi is one of three players based in Japan in the forward pack but otherwise the team is comprised almost entirely of his best talent from the Samoan domestic game.
The entire starting back-line come from three clubs in Samoa - Apia, Apia West and Tuamasaga - with fly-half and sevens veteran Uale Mai perhaps the best known of them, starting outside Apia West team-mate Notise Tauafao.
Three of the forwards are domiciled in Apia while Exeter lock Chad Slade is the only British-based player to earn a release for the Test, admittedly from a lower division club.
The only New Zealand-based starting player is Counties Manukau prop Simon Lemalu. His provincial team-mate Romi Ropati will cover the outside backs from the reserve bench, alongside back-up half-back Junior Poluleuligaga of North Harbour.
