Three years after reaching the World Cup final in England, Samoa's senior players believe they are better placed now than when they lost to Australia at Old Trafford in 2022.
Sunday's Pacific Cup decider will mark one of the biggest games in the team's history, while also acting as something of a precursor to next year's World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Samoa's 2010 World Sevens title is widely regarded as the nation's finest sporting moment, and one the likes of co-captain Junior Paulo still point to.
Weightlifter Ele Opeloge won silver in the women's 75kg class at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while Alex Rose took bronze in the men's discus at this year's World Athletics Championships.
But victory over the Kiwis at CommBank Stadium would also make them the first nation other than Australia or New Zealand to win a major international rugby league trophy this century.
"It would be huge," halfback Jarome Luai said.
"It hasn't been done before. I am a bit of a realist and I understand there is a bit of work to do before that.
"But it would be massive for our country and our small nation."
Paulo can also sense the significance of what may unfold.
"It would be a massive milestone for Samoan rugby league in general," the co-captain said.
"But there is a lot of preparation that goes before it.
"The vision is to be at the end of the game holding the trophy, but you have to put in a lot of work and it started with us getting into camp Sunday."
Samoa on Tuesday lost second-rower Jeremiah Nanai to a shoulder injury for Sunday's final, while New Zealand are unchanged.
Thousands of people attended a Samoan fan day in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, while videos of Samoan fans parading in the streets of Apia following the side's 34-6 win over Tonga last month have also spread online.
"It's been unreal," Paulo said.
"We saw in New Zealand and Samoa, America, all over the world, parades happening. So you can only imagine what Sunday is going to be like."
To win, Samoa will need to claim their first victory over a tier-one side, having never beaten Australia, New Zealand, England or Great Britain.
But they are arguably better placed than ever, with Payne Haas in the front row and Blaize Talagi partnering Luai in the halves.
"Each year has been a stepping stone, and each game has been a stepping stone from that World Cup," Luai said.
"We haven't had many results under the belt.
"But the experience and the new blood that we've played, getting a few of the old guys back into camp has been great for everyone coming through."
10°C