The historic Manu Samoa and All Blacks test match will be aired live today on KVZK-TV channel 2, according to Director for Public Information, Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde, responding to Samoa News questions.

He said due to popular demand, KVZK-TV reached out to PCS TV Bill Hyman, who stated he had the rights to the game, and to Bluesky, the major sponsor of the test match — and from there, an agreement was made to air the most anticipated game on channel 2.

According to Fagafaga, their offices have been flooded with phone calls from the public inquiring if KVZK-TV was airing the game, and that is when he contacted Mr Hyman and Bluesky.

The game is slated to kick off at 3p.m., however Fagafaga told Samoa News they’ll air the opening ceremony which starts at 2:45p.m. Asked about the agreement, the Director said KVZK-TV will also air the commercials of the sponsors who made it possible for PCS TV to carry the historic test match.

In the meantime, the All Blacks arrived in Samoa on Sunday and a welcoming Ava Ceremony was held at Tuaefu, the home of Samoa's Head of State, his Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.

Last week, New Zealand government’s press reported that Prime Minister John Key will join Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to witness the first All Blacks — Manu Samoa test match to ever be played on Samoan soil.

“Samoa and New Zealand enjoy a special relationship, including a shared love of rugby, and I am delighted to be attending this historic event,” Key said. “This visit provides an opportunity to not only recognize this huge occasion for Samoa, but also to build on talks Prime Minister Tuilaepa and I had in Apia last year on a range of political and economic issues.”

PM Key and PM Tuilaepa will hold talks in the morning, before visiting the Apia Waterfront — a project being developed with New Zealand’s support — to officially open a playground on the site.

They will then meet local business representatives at a networking event hosted by Samoa’s Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Enterprise Centre. The event is an opportunity for New Zealand and Samoan business people to promote trade and to strengthen and build on business partnerships.

The Prime Minister from New Zealand will be accompanied by Sport and Recreation Minister Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, and Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne.

The delegation will depart on the morning of July 8, returning the same day.

FINAL MANU SAMOA TEAM NAMED

Yesterday the Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) announced the Manu Samoa team that will face the All Blacks today are:

Sakaria Taulafo (Asau, Malie); Wayne Ole Avei (Saleimoa, Leauva'a, Samatau); Census Johnson (Lalomanu, Aleipata, Falevao); Teofilo Paulo (Solosolo, Faleapuna, Safune, Matatufu, Saleaaumua); Kane Thompson (Apia); Alafoti Faosiliva (Afega, Tuana'i); Jack Lam (Gataivai, Malie, Taga); Ofisa Treviranus (Malie, Patamea); Kahn Fotuali'i (Faleapuna); Tusiata Pisi (Toamua, Safaatoa, Lefaga, Lepea, Gataivai); Alesana Tuilagi (Fatausi, Fogapoa, Lalomalava, Fasito'o); Johnny Leota (Avao); Paul Perez (Vaigaga, Apia, Saleaula); Alofa Alofa (Tafitoala, Solosolo) and Tim Nanai Williams (Manono, Falelatai).

The reserves are Ma'atulimanu Leiataua (Manono, Apolima, Sa'anapu, Safune, Vailoa i Palauli); Viliamu Afatia (Vaiala, Vailoa i Palauli, Salelavalu, Saoluafata); Anthony Perenise (Solosolo, Fasito'o Tai); Iosefa Tekori (Vailele, Asau, Luatuanu'u); Maurie Faasavalu (Falelatai, Safotu); Peleifofoga Cowley (Vaigaga, Saleimoa); Faialaga Afamasaga (Fasito'o Tai, Vailu'u Tai) and Ken Pisi (Toamua, Safaatoa, Lefaga, Lepea, Gataivai).

Manu Samoa’s Captain, Ofisa Treviranus who will lead the men in blue out onto the field at Apia Park today against the All Blacks for the historic test, said it’s an honor to be selected as a leader of this Manu Samoa and he thanked God for this opportunity. The Samoa Observer reports that the Captain is a strong force in the Manu Samoa environment and has the respect of the players on and off the field.

For his new responsibilities, Treviranus is quick to praise the support of his wife, Talalelei, and his two children. His youngest, a girl, was born last month, says the Samoa Observer.