Kiwis announce Samoa Test

New Zealand will face a warm-up Test against Samoa in preparation for the Four Nations this winter.

First Test meeting for nations

New Zealand will face a warm-up Test against Samoa in preparation for the Four Nations this winter. The Kiwis have announced the fixture will take place on October 16, one week before they play England in Wellington. New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle is convinced the match will be a vital part of their preparations. "Over the past two seasons, the Kiwis have played warm-up internationals against Tonga in Auckland and Rotorua," he said. The Test against Samoa will be played for the Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy. The two nations have never met in a Test match and Doyle is happy that is set to change. "It has taken a long time for the Kiwis and Samoa to meet in a Test match so, on that score alone, this will be a very special fixture," he said. The fixture has been scheduled in to allow New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney chance to play those not involved in the end of season fixtures in the Super League and NRL. "Kearney is keen to have a match of this quality to prepare the team for the Four Nations," Doyle added.