Local players get their chance to impress Manu Samoa coach Stephen Betham on Friday with an inexperienced line-up facing a tough ask against Asian champions Japan in Tokyo.
The test is being played outside the IRB international window, which means most front-line players are unavailable with all but five of the 23-strong squad currently based in Samoa.
Stephen Betham says the upside to that is local players will be given an opportunity to impress at test level, and force their way into the final squad for the Pacific Nations Cup.
Former Manu Samoa flanker Semi Sititi, who is now in charge of the country's Under 20s team, agrees it's a good chance to expose the local players.
