Kearney: More to come from Kiwis

Stephen Kearney

The Kiwis stunned pre-tournament favourites Australia by securing a 30-12 victory over the world champions in Brisbane last weekend.

New Zealand now turn their attention to facing outsiders Samoa in the first Test to be played in Whangarei and the hosts will be expected to secure a victory which would put them on the brink of the final.

Samoa gave England a major scare before ultimately being consigned to a 32-26 defeat and Kearney has seen enough of Marr Parish's side to know they pose a threat.

He said: "Seeing what they had to offer in the opening game against England. I think they were a little unfortunate to be beaten.

"They are only going to be better and from our point of view we need to make sure we take our best game to the stadium on Saturday.

"I think everyone's going to be better off for the run on Saturday. We are determined to make sure we improve areas of our game."

Saturday's game will be New Zealand's first on home soil since 2012 and Kearney is looking forward to having that advantage at a venue which has never staged a New Zealand Test.

He said: "We have got a player in the team [Adam Blair] who is from the area. This is his land and these are his people. It means a great deal to him and if it means a great deal to him then it means a great deal to all of us.

"We don't often get the opportunity to come home and play in front of our people so to do that on Saturday is going to be great."

The Kiwis welcome hooker Issac Luke back from suspension at the expense of Thomas Leuluai, while winger Manu Vatuvei replaces Gerard Beale and Suaia Matagi will make debut against the nation who he represented in the World Cup last year.

Matagi will start on the bench in the absence of Greg Eastwood, who is struggling with an Achilles injury, but Dean Whare has been named in the starting line-up despite suffering a suspected groin injury.

Samoa trio Reni Maitua, Tautau Moga and Sauaso Sue are available after serving a one-match ban due to a nightclub incident, but only Sue has been given the nod and starts on the bench.

Centre Tim Lafai is recalled after missing the defeat against England for his wedding, while Isaac Liu and Pita Godinet start after impressive try-scoring performances off the bench last weekend.

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