All Blacks: Future proofing Samoa

There will be drums, family reunions, an insane amount of roast pork, incredible pride and emotion but, when the final whistle goes on July 8 next year, the story can't stop.

The All Blacks' test in Apia next year is world rugby's biggest legacy opportunity of the professional age.

Forget World Cups and Lions tours. Forget Junior World Championships and Olympic sevens - the All Blacks playing in the Pacific Islands creates the chance for administrators to finally start putting right a significant number of historic wrongs.

The neglect and exploitation of the island sides can come to an end. The developed world can hopefully stop seeing Samoa, Tonga and Fiji as a supply of cheap but fantastically skilled labour.

It has been take, take, take. Once the All Blacks leave, it has to be give, give, give.

That's not to say the occasion itself can't be revelled in or the test shouldn't be a massive celebration of the enormous contribution the islands, and Samoa in particular, have made to the world game.

The current All Black squad has a major Samoan presence - Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Patrick Tuipulotu, Steve Luatua, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu and Julian Savea.

They will all want to play - as will, most likely, Sonny Bill Williams.

"I think it would be great to be involved in that game," says Luatua. "I come from a family with strong Samoan heritage. My grandparents are still over there so to play in front of them would be pretty special.

"I am yet to do that so, if I could be involved, it would be special. I'd like to take the whole family across ... if funds suffice."

But the test can't be an exercise in box-ticking. It can't be a memorable day and nothing more. Samoa and the Islands deserve better.

It's not imperative the All Blacks return to Apia any time soon after next year. It would be nice to think they will, but the reality of finances and scheduling make that unlikely.

What is imperative is other major nations follow suit. The longer it takes for any other leading nation to play in the islands, the more the All Blacks test will look like a stunt, a PR initiative designed to stop a growing wave of public energy venting about why it hadn't happened already.

Given that England's best player is not only Samoan but is also called Manusamoa, they should be thinking about playing in Apia. Australia have a growing Pacific influence and the Wallabies reflect that. They also need to put something back.

Playing in the islands is not just about validation and acknowledgement, or providing a basis of inspiration for the next generation, it's also about, to some extent, putting financial balance into a system that currently has none.

Rugby has an archaic system of financial distribution where the host nation covers the costs of their opponent's travel and accommodation in return for keeping the gate receipts. For Tier One nations, this works out about fair over the course of a season.

For Samoa and other Tier Two nations, however, their real costs aren't fully met when they take on a Tier One nation. They still have to pay their players, and there are no reciprocal tests in the islands.

More importantly, though, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji need access to a meaningful annual competition and a regular, challenging fixture list. One-off tests against the big boys are great, but the certainty of being part of something permanent that could attract broadcast and sponsorship dollars will have more enduring value.

Just as important will be the need to provide legions of children who will be inspired by the All Black test with a means to get involved. Domestic rugby in Samoa is not in great shape, say those who know the set-up.

"The test is going to be a fantastic celebration of Polynesian rugby, of Samoan rugby and of the contribution of all the Pacific Islands, but it also has to be more than that," says International Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol.

"The overwhelming message coming from the players is they want this to lead to something meaningful. It has to have a bigger picture and that is around participation rates, domestic competition structures, up-skilling coaches and, from an administrative view, making a fresh start. There really has to be a significant legacy programme."

There are big claims about the efforts and investment being pumped into the islands. The IRB trumpet they have pumped in $7 million since 2007 and, while that is commendable, it's also questionable how much has been achieved.

All that money is yet to have much of an impact in terms of building lasting structures and providing improved resources that lead to sustained growth.

None of it, or at least hardly any of it, has found its way into the best players' pockets, either. Playing for Samoa is still a labour of love. Match payments are often no more than $1000 for a three-week campaign and it's economy class all the way.

On top of that, there's the minefield of Pacific Island players gaining release from their clubs to play for their respective countries. The IRB threatening to be really cross with those clubs that don't abide by the rules hasn't been much of a deterrent so far. Intimidation, insinuation, threats and downright lies are all used against islanders and it has often been a tough choice for eligible players to commit to Samoa.

All of this needs to be fixed and the test next year is the catalyst to bring the issues to light. The All Blacks going to Apia is a chance to begin the process of transforming the island nations into cohesive, well-organised and well-resourced units.

All Blacks hope to pick Island players

The All Blacks will look to pick players with island heritage when they take on Samoa in Apia next year.

Senior All Blacks played a major role in securing the historic July 8 test and want to be sensitive to the emotion of the fixture and legacy potential.

Their hands may be tied as any players involved in the Super Rugby final a few days earlier won't be available and they also have to be conscious of preparing for the World Cup and winning the test.

But if they feel they can make selections that will allow them to achieve their own goals and the bigger aim of celebrating the contribution of the Pacific Islands, then they will.

The Samoan influence in the current squad is strong, as it has been for the better part of the past two decades.

Some of the best All Blacks of the past 20 years have either been born in Samoa or held strong links to it: Va'aiga Tuigamala, Michael Jones, Frank Bunce, Tana Umaga, Ma'a Nonu, Jerome Kaino, Julian Savea and Sonny Bill Williams to name a few. There have also been significant contributions from men with Tongan and Fijian heritage: Jonah Lomu, Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu.