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THE Kiwis' pre-World Cup hit-out against Samoa in October is set to be scrapped.
The game was supposed to be a warm-up ahead of league's showpiece event.
Initial talks were promising but it appears red tape has stalled negotiations.
And Sunday News last night learnt Tonga are being lined up as replacements.
"There are still too many loose ends to pin down before we can confirm anything," NZRL boss Peter Cordtz told Sunday News.
"The game we originally scheduled between the Kiwis and Samoa is my biggest headache right now.
"If it doesn't happen, I guess we need to look at what we are going to do before the World Cup."
The proposed All Golds clash with the New Zealand Maori two weeks out from the World Cup is expected to continue as planned.
But with Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney desperate for his side to have a run before the World Cup, fingers are crossed a deal can be struck with the Tongans.
It would be a mouthwatering clash with the likes of Feleti Mateo, Fetuli Talanoa and Manase Manuokafoa going up against their Kiwis rivals.
The Sunday News-sponsored Kiwis open their World Cup with a game against the Kangaroos on October 26 while the Tongans are set to lock horns with Ireland a day later.
Well Samoa were jumping up and down saying they want to play the big boys and now they have a chance to start something against the Kiwis and now they look like pulling out??
IMO Kiwis vs Tonga will be a better opition as they are more "real" then Samoa. It would get better press than Kiwis vs Kiwis rejects.