The sea of red and blue had just a few Kiwi supporters in the mix. 15 October 2025 Photo: Screengrab / Facebook / TOA SAMOA
Rugby league fans were out in full force to meet the Toa Samoa, Fetu Samoa and Kiwis players at the special Fans Day on Tuesday at Auckland's Mt Albert Rugby League Club.
The sea of red and blue had just a few Kiwi supporters in the mix.
Among them, Sydney-based hiphop group, the 046 Collective flew over just to catch their team in action.
Kymzie, who fronts the collective is confident Toa Samoa will do the job, his sentiments was echoed by other excited fans who made the most of meeting their league idols.
The last time Toa Samoa and Kiwis faced off was at Auckland's Eden Park in October 2023, where Kiwis thumped the 2022 Rugby League World Cup grand finalists 50-0.
NRL's premiership 2025 winner Payne Haas was a crowd favourite.
The star prop is Toa Samoa's biggest signing, confirming the switch from Australia just two months ago so he could represent his mother's country of heritage.
Haas is also of Swiss and Filipino descent and told Pacific Waves he's making the most of learning about his Samoan culture.
"I didn't really know much about Fa'a Samoa and stuff like that, so obviously learning the way the last few days has been pretty cool and just trying to take it all in and trying to be pretty present and just enjoy the culture aspect of it all."
Four time NRL premiership winner and Toa Samoa co-captain Jarome Luai said with most of the team born outside of Samoa, being part of the Toa squad gives them a connection to the culture and language many haven't had.
"It's special," he said. "For us, the boys that are born in Australia we don't really understand as much but this is the experience, this is all part of it."
Rugby league fans were out in full force to meet the Toa Samoa. 15 October 2025 Photo: Screengrab / Facebook / TOA SAMOA
Being part of cultural traditions, like the ava ceremony, has been a highlight for the team.
"It's special being part of that ritual, but it's also a welcoming as well, really special to share that experience with the boys but it's down to work now, down to business."
Josh Papalii is back in the blue jersey after three years. He's had a stellar year becoming the most capped Canberra Raiders player and forged one last legacy with the Queensland Maroons who won this year's Origin series.
"Obviously always an honour and privilege to put the Samoan jersey on, to represent our people our nation," he said.
"It's a dream come true and it's good to be back at camp."
Papalii said seeing the fans in Auckland makes it all worth it.
"For these people to have come out in the rain and support our small nation, it means a lot so hopefully we can take this energy into Sunday and put in a massive performance."
Fetu Samoa kick off the round, playing the Kiwi Ferns at 3:35pm followed by the men's clash between Toa Samoa and the Kiwis at 6:05pm NZT.
Fetu Samoa
1. Jetaya Faifua, 2. Jessica Patea, 3. Lindsay Tui, 4. Sarina Masaga, 5. Destiny Mino-Sinapati, 6. Taliah Fuimaono, 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, 8. Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala (c), 9. Destiny Brill, 10. Eliza Lopamaua, 11. Niall Williams-Guthrie, 12. Ryvrr-Lee Alo, 13. Sienna Lofipo, 14. Pihuka Berryman-Duff, 15. Laikha Clarke, 16. Tavarna Papalii, 17. Shalom Sauaso, 18. Simone Karpani, 19. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 20. Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa, 21. Estanoa Faitala-Mariner
Toa Samoa
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Murray Taulagi, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Deine Mariner, 5. Brian To'o, 6. Blaize Talagi, 7. Jarome Luai (c), 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Jeremiah Nanai, 12. Jaydn Su'a, 13. Junior Paulo, 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 15. Simi Sasagi, 16. Terrell May, 17. Francis Molo, 18. Benaiah Ioelu, 19. Ata Mariota, 20. Clayton Faulalo, 21. Lyhkan King-Togia
