A special call has been made by the Manu Samoa head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua to cover the stadium in Apia Park blue when the Manu Samoa face traditional rivals the Flying Fijians on Saturday.

The Manu Samoa plays their first game on home soil after four years and for some of the players their very first game in Apia.

Vaovasamanaia knows too well that the home crowd support can be a factor if they want to win.

“I have been very fortunate to play here where it’s been covered in blue and I am really hoping that tomorrow this stadium is colored (in) blue with all our people in attendance and give our boys all the support that they need,” he said.

The Flying Fijians have announced a very changed squad from the one that played Tonga last week. The team features younger players most of who were part of the Drua outfit in Super Rugby.

“There is never an easy game between Samoa and Fiji and both teams will be at their best. We know that some of the Drua players have been named in the Fijian squad and they are coming on the back of a very successful season,” Vaovasamanaia said.

“So we know they will be fit and we expect a lot of running rugby from them. As I have said, games against Fiji are never easy.”

It is a very special game for Manu Samoa captain Fritz Lee. He is playing his first game in Samoa. The 34-year-old who plays for Clermont in France and is a former All Blacks sevens rep, knows very well the task on hand.

 “It’s our home so we are going to look after our home tomorrow. We are looking forward to the atmosphere tomorrow, our villages and aiga will be here so we are definitely looking forward to the occasion tomorrow,” he said.

“The players are excited and we know that Fiji is no easy task but we are up for the challenge. This has been a short week for us but we are prepared.”

He said the players have a special bond and they are ready to serve the country.

The Flying Fijians jetted in early Friday morning and showed no sign of fatigue from travelling at the captain’s run.

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui was in Samoa in 2000 when he was playing and now he returns as coach. He said Samoa will be tough.

“We saw the game against Japan and Samoa was very good. They obviously have a very good pack and we know that they are very strong. We expect the game to be very tough,” he said.

Fiji captain Semi Radradra said they will give Samoa the respect they deserve and do not expect any aspect of the game to be easy.

Manu Samoa takes on the Flying Fijians at 3pm at Apia Park on Saturday.