Tongan fans will descend on Eden Park this weekend. Photo: PhotoSport
The Kiwis are preparing to walk into another cauldron in Auckland.
A sea of red is expected to envelop Eden Park as the Kiwis take on a Tongan XIII and their notoriously parochial fan base.
Players could have been forgiven for thinking they were in Apia and not at Mount Smart in round one, as the Samoan supporters significantly out-numbered Kiwi fans.
It was a staunchly Toa crowd, with boos even raining down during the haka, a move that has sparked backlash for being 'disrespectful'.
However, Kiwis coach Stacey Jones said his side embraces the hostile reception they received.
"It's a game of footy. Our boys will take it in their stride. They'll get on and do their challenge and likewise with Tonga and Samoa. it's just a bit of banter. My personal thing is just get on with the footy and enjoy the cultural experiences."
Jones said the rise in Pasifika rugby league has re-ignited the international game.
"The Tongan and Samoan fans are outstanding. They love the game of rugby league and they'll support a good game of footy. We know that the crowd are against us, but we've got a good support group there too. We've got lots of Kiwi supporters out there that all get behind this team."
That point was perfectly illustrated as despite defeat, the Samoan supporters simultaneously rose to their feet at full-time of round one's clash, and applauded.
Kiwi Ferns co-captain Raecene McGregor said it was a unique experience being on enemy territory at home.
"It was a bit crazy last week. There wasn't too many black jerseys out there. It was a lot of blue. The crowd got behind those girls and we could feel that in the first half. So yeah, we just need to block that noise out I think come this weekend and focus on ourselves."
Kiwis skipper James Fisher-Harris said they are fuelled by the atmosphere.
"We try to channel it. A little hostile. Getting booed but at the end of the day, it's all love."
The red army awaits.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
