Fiji have won the past three Pacific Nations Cup rugby titles but insist they aren't taking anything for granted 15 months out from the World Cup.
The Flying Fijians begin their campaign for four on the trot against Samoa in Suva this afternoon.
The hosts thrashed the Manu 38-16 in Apia last year and haven't lost to their traditional rivals since 2014.
Fiji celebrate winning their third straight Pacific Nations Cup title. Photo: Oceania Rugby
But head coach John McKee said the return of some experienced heads and some new faces pulling the strings suggest things would be much closer this time around.
"I think they will still be hurting a little bit," he said.
"We had a good victory over them in Apia last year and they've got a new coaching staff, they're very much focused on their Rugby World Cup qualification so they'll certainly want to kick their campaign off to a good start and we're expecting a big challenge as always with Pacific Nations when we play each other."
Mckee said it would be a big, physical challenge.
"Looking at their squad they've got an interesting mix there - they've got a lot of experience in there but they've also got some new players coming in as well so being the first game of the campaign we're really focusing on our game.
"We don't quite know what their focus will be (so) for us this week it's about getting our game-plan right, getting all our players on the same page, in terms of our attack and our defence structure and around our set play," Mckee said.
John McKee. Photo: AFP
