New Zealand enforcer Frank Pritchard has warned his teammates not to take Samoa lightly or they run the risk of being embarrassed.

The Kiwis will face Samoa in a Four Nations warm-up match, but Pritchard knows that there is no such thing as a "friendly" when it comes to pulling on the black jersey.

New Zealand fans still remember a similar "friendly" on the eve of the 1999 Tri Nations tournament, where Stacey Jones suffered a broken arm in a monster tackle that sidelined the little general for six months.

"It's not touch footy, we do play a hard game, it's going to be physical," Pritchard warned.

"Samoa is going to come out and look for the grudge match against us.

"Samoa's got a big pack and the boys are going to come out and play their best, we've just got to stick to our game plan."

And with the Samoan forward pack boasting international stars Tony Puletua, Ali Lauitiiti and David Solomona, you can understand why they're wary.

"They've got a great team ... it's meant to be a warm-up but I don't think it's going to be taken like that," admitted vice-captain Adam Blair.

"It's going to be a big game (and) a big test for us."

Lance Hohaia, a relative lightweight at just 86kg, is well aware of the potential for injury ahead of the end-of-season Four Nations tournament - but has vowed not to back down from any challenges.

"Every time you put on that black jumper it's a Test match, and your reputation is on the line," he said.

"So we're all going to be going out there and playing as best we can.

"It's going to be a tough game, we've got no doubt about that.

"I know they're passionate about wearing their jersey as well."

A physical clash is the ideal warm-up for New Zealand's second Four Nations clash against an understrength Papua New Guinea, who have sacrificed a number of their top players as a result of in-fighting at board level.

"It's hard to say if (Papua New Guinea) are contenders," Hohaia said.

"We're definitely not going to take them lightly. They're going to be no easy beat.

"We just have to prepare as if it's going to be a tough match."

Hardworking New Zealand backrower Simon Mannering, who has spent the past two days laid low with a virus, will come off the bench.

New Zealand team: Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawara), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), Junior Sa'u (Newcastle), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers, captain), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Greg Eastwood (Leeds), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Adam Blair (Melbourne Storm), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Bronson Harrison (Canberra), Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra). Interchange: Nathan Fien (St George Illawarra), Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors); 18th man: Sika Manu (Melbourne); 19th man: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters).

Samoan squad: Tony Puletua (St Helens), Francis Meli (St Helens), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), David Faiumu (Huddersfield), David Solomona (Warrington), George Carmont (Wigan), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Ben Roberts (Canterbury Bulldogs), Constantine Mika (Newcastle), Mark Taufua (Newcastle), Joseph Paulo (Penrith), Masada Iosefa (Penrith), Terence Seuseu (Manly), Willie Isa (Melbourne), Daniel Vidot (Canberra), Josh McGuire (Brisbane), Taulima Tautai (Cronulla), Quentin Togaga'e (Souths Logan), Frank Winterstein (Crusaders). One to be added from Samoa-based domestic players: Tupu Ulufale, Tanielu Pasene, Vailoa Kereti, David Masoe, Teofilo Lepou.

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