Manu Samoa are talking up their chances of causing another boilover against Australia in their final hit-out before the Rugby World Cup.
The Wallabies have won four of their five previous tests against the men in blue, but the Manu prevailed 32-23 when the teams last played eight years ago.
Manu Samoa celebrate beating Australia in 2011. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Head coach Steve Jackson said games like this don't come around very often and his players are feeling extremely confident.
"This is about our 2019 and what these players can go out and do against Australia and create their own little piece of history and this game is hugely important to us.
"We know we talk about Rugby World Cup but this occasion it's a test match against Australia in Sydney and they don't come any better than that. These guys are excited, they've been talking about it all week and they've just got to go out there and believe in themselves. We're not going out there to make up numbers, we're going out there because we believe that we can win."
Manu Samoa captain Jack Lam takes the ball up v NZ Heartland XV Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2019
Australia have rested a number of front-line players for this weekend's match, including prop Allan Alaalatoa, who missed the chance to play against his older brother Michael on test debut.
But Steve Jackson isn't buying talk of a weak Wallabies team.
"They've got David Pocock who's come back but is arguably is one of the best loose forwards in the world and then you've got (Sekope) Kepu who is retiring - this will be his last game here in Australia before he retires after Rugby World Cup, so there's a bit of emotion there for them moving into this game as well.
"There's obviously a couple of guys in their team that are getting their opportunity to play as well so we don't take these guys lightly. I know the media has been saying it's a second-string Australian side but we don't believe that at any point. It's a strong Australian team we're going to be facing."
Manu Samoa rugby coach Steve Jackson. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Vinnie Wylie
The Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad includes seven players with Samoan heritage. Jordan Uelese, Salakaia-Loto and Matt Toomua have all been named to start tonight at Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium and Jackson says it will no doubt create some added spice.
"It just goes to show that Pacific Island rugby is well and truly engrossed in most international teams around the world. As much as probably some of them would like to have the opportunity to actually do the Siva Tau but they will be able to stand up and face that. It just goes to show that the depth of Pacific Island rugby around the world is massive."
Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese will make his first test start against Samoa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Manu Samoa squad will fly back to Auckland on Monday before departing from Japan the following morning.
