ozbash
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Auckland assistant coach Shane Howarth finds himself in the unusual position of coaching a team against old team-mates when the Pacific Islands side meets Wales.
Howarth has joined his Auckland coach Pat Lam in the coaching of the amalgamated side from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga on the Northern Hemisphere excursion.
Howarth was a member of the Welsh team that was beaten 31-38 by Western Samoa at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
"I've still got a lot of friends here and players who will be in the opposition camp so it's [a] slightly strange situation," he told the South Wales Echo.
"I have fond memories of my time here but I can't have split loyalties.
"I have a job to do and for 80 minutes I will be doing everything in my power for us to beat them."
While memories of losses and close encounters highlight contact between Wales and the Pacific Island nations, Howarth said there was every chance of an upset this time around.
"There's more to us than big hits as the players are not only very strong but are also great athletes.
"People don't always appreciate how many great players there are, and have been, from the Islands.
"We've had a bit shorter time frame we would have liked to get them right, especially with Wales having already played a game already which makes it a bit harder," he said.
Howarth said the Islanders knew they were in for a tough game, but they hadn't come to Wales to roll over.
"The Islands are very proud and I don't think it would even be out of the question for them to come together to make a World Cup side in the future."
Howarth said the Islands are often an after-thought but it was time for them to come to the front of people's minds, and tours like this one were the perfect vehicle for achieving that.
Howarth has joined his Auckland coach Pat Lam in the coaching of the amalgamated side from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga on the Northern Hemisphere excursion.
Howarth was a member of the Welsh team that was beaten 31-38 by Western Samoa at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
"I've still got a lot of friends here and players who will be in the opposition camp so it's [a] slightly strange situation," he told the South Wales Echo.
"I have fond memories of my time here but I can't have split loyalties.
"I have a job to do and for 80 minutes I will be doing everything in my power for us to beat them."
While memories of losses and close encounters highlight contact between Wales and the Pacific Island nations, Howarth said there was every chance of an upset this time around.
"There's more to us than big hits as the players are not only very strong but are also great athletes.
"People don't always appreciate how many great players there are, and have been, from the Islands.
"We've had a bit shorter time frame we would have liked to get them right, especially with Wales having already played a game already which makes it a bit harder," he said.
Howarth said the Islanders knew they were in for a tough game, but they hadn't come to Wales to roll over.
"The Islands are very proud and I don't think it would even be out of the question for them to come together to make a World Cup side in the future."
Howarth said the Islands are often an after-thought but it was time for them to come to the front of people's minds, and tours like this one were the perfect vehicle for achieving that.
