Fiji coach Sam Domoni says his squad have taken confidence from Samoa's example and believes they can beat New Zealand in Friday's one-off rugby Test.

Domoni said Fiji wouldn't have accepted the match if they didn't think they had a winning chance, and Samoa's 32-23 win over the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend proved even the best teams in the world could be beaten.

"Part of the plan is to achieve what the Samoans achieved in Australia," Domoni said. "So we have got a few things in our head as well, it is a big motivation for the boys to be playing for Fiji on Friday night.

"Like all other teams, winning is part of believing in ourselves and what we can do because if we thought otherwise than we would not be going."

The match at Carisbrook forms an important part of both Fiji and New Zealand's preparation for the World Cup starting in September.

Fiji has only two Test matches against Tonga between Friday and the start of the World Cup, while the match is the All Blacks' first of the season and an important first step.

"Everyone knows that the New Zealand team is the benchmark of world rugby," Domoni said. "They have a very good side and this is a very important game for them, as this is their last game before the Tri-Nations starts."

New Zealand beat Fiji 91-0 when the teams last met in 2005 but Domoni said his players were looking forward to Friday's match without apprehension.

"Playing the All Blacks is like playing in the World Cup - it only comes around every four years," he said. "The guys that are here are looking forward to the challenge. Playing against the All

The All Blacks will not be at full strength because coach Graham Henry is resting some players from the Crusaders and Blues who had arduous Super Rugby campaigns.

Henry said the Crusaders' players in particular were emotionally and physically drained and would be like "dead men trying to play rugby" if they were asked to play again on Friday. He said he didn't care about criticism of his decision to allow players time to recuperate.

"You can dress it up and criticise it, if you like. But the real thing is these guys just need space," he said. "Some guys have got a bit of space now so they can come down and build up again. Others will have that space a little bit later in the (Tri-Nations) tournament, so it's just a matter of making good decisions around those individuals, really."

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.

Fiji squad: Iliesa Keresoni, Vereniki Goneva, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Bai, Vitori Buatava, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt), Sekonaia Kalou, Rupeni Nasiga, Deacon Manu, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu. Reserves: Setefano Samoca, Viliame Veikoso, Josefa Domolailai, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Ranuku, Taniela Rawaqa, Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Netani Talei (two to be omitted).

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