A parade is being planned for next week to welcome the Moana Pasifika team ahead of their historic Super Rugby match at Apia Park against the visiting Queensland Reds.

The parade will be held next Wednesday with the Police band leading the playing squad, who are expected to arrive in Samoa this coming Sunday. The organisers are yet to announce details of the parade, but it is expected to be held in front of the Government Building opposite Apia's central business district.

It is understood the team's major sponsor Digicel Samoa is organising the program for the parade as well as the team's itinerary for their stay in the country. Some of the players are already in the country ahead of the arrival of their full playing squad.

This weekend Moana Pasifika will take on the Crusaders at the Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand on Good Friday to open the long Easter weekend. Friday’s matchup is just the second time these two sides will face off, with the visitors looking to avenge their maiden 33-12 loss as well as pick up their first win of the season.

For next Saturday's historic match in the Samoan capital, tickets are already on sale at all Digicel Samoa outlets in Samoa. General admission tickets are going for SAT10, Outer Stadium (North) $40, Outer Stadium (South) $40, Blue Stadium (South Main Stand) $75, Red Stadium (North Main Stand) $75, and Gold Stadium (VIP Centre Stand) $100.

The match will be Samoa's second taste of Super Rugby action with Moana Pasifika following in the footsteps of the Fiji Drua, which has already hosted a home game in Fiji against the Waratahs on Saturday 4 March 2023. The Fijian side will play six of their games in Fiji this year.

All Blacks legends Sir Laáuli Michael Jones told the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) in a recent interview that playing on home soil in Samoa is a dream come true for the club's supporters.

“Finally, our dream to play on Samoan soil will come true. It has been our ambition from the very start to bring the competition to our home nations,” said Laáuli.

There are 14 current Manu Samoa representatives in the Moana Pasifika squad which will make the event next Wednesday all the more memorable for both the players and the families here in Samoa.