The 2025 Pacific Championships will be the fourth edition of the concept, where top-ranked nations will battle it out from October through to November.
Samoa wasn't featured in last year's tournament, instead, they toured England in a two-game series.
Dropping both games to the Lions will have Ben Gardiner's men raring to go when they play the Kiwi's in their first tournament fixture.
MORE: Results, scores, matches, pools for Pacific Championships 2025
Samoa has received a major boost after the recent news that Payne Haas has officially pledged his allegiance to the Pacific nation.
Fellow Origin stars Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have also been discussed as potential candidates to defect, however a final decision of their futures hasn't yet been reached.
Gardiner, who took the reins as head coach back in 2023, recently told AAP that he is trying to change the narrative around Samoan rugby league.
"One of the big things we have wanted to do since I took over is create a positive narrative around us," he said.
"Part of the Samoan culture is that players will play where their heart is, and we also just want them to play where they want to.
"Our position is that we want to have the best Samoan heritage team we can."
Samoa predicted side for the 2025 Pacific Championships
1. Su'a Fa'alogo
2. Brian To'o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Izack Tago
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Chanel Harris-Tevita
7. Jarome Luai
8. Payne Haas
9. Jazz Tevaga
10. Francis Molo
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. Shawn Blore
13. Terrell May
14. Blaize Talagi
15. Ata Mariota
16. Junior Paulo
17. Luciano Leilua
Samoa latest team news:
Toa Samoa is entering arguably the most exciting time in their history as an international rugby league side, so with one eye on the future, Su'a Fa'alogo should be the one to get the nod at fullback.
Brian To'o and Murray Taulagi are walk-up starts on each flank, having both consistently performed at both the Origin and Test level in recent seasons.
Stephen Crichton, who will likely captain this side, can easily make the case of being the best centre in rugby league right now.
Returning from last year's touring party, Crichton's former Penrith teammate Izack Tago will occupy the other centre spot.
Chanel Harris-Tevita, who's been a key player for the Warriors in their impressive 2025 campaign, will get the five-eighth jersey.
At halfback, incumbent captain Jarome Luai will return and hold the keys to how far Samoa will go in the tournament.
Payne Haas will wear the Samoan jumper for the first time after turning down the opportunity to play for Australia in favour of representing his heritage.
Jazz Tevaga will return to dummy half after getting minutes in that role for the Sea Eagles courtesy of a Lachlan Croker injury.
Joining Haas in the middle-third will be Dolphins prop Francis Molo who has become an enforcer for Kristian Woolf during the 2025 campaign.
Molo will likely benefit from Origin stars Spencer Leniu and Stefano Utoikamanu keeping their hat in the ring for an Australian call-up after Payne Haas has opened the door for a surprise selection.
Jaydn Su'A and Shawn Blore will start in the back-row, the former for the first time since 2022; and the latter will regain his spot from last year after another consistent campaign for the Storm.
Jeremiah Nanai is another one of the Maroons stars who is yet to declare which country he pledges his allegiance to. If he follows in Haas' footsteps, he will likely line up on the left-edge.
Terrell May could move out of his native front-row to play lock for Samoa. His versatility and huge motor will allow him to play long minutes for Ben Gardiner when called upon.
Blaize Talagi did a job as a bench-utility in Samoa's last time out, and with 12-months of learning under Nathan Cleary and company at the foot of the mountains, he is only going to be better for it.
A candidate to make his return to the international arena is Junior Paulo, who has returned to form for the Eels despite their woes as a team.
The rationale behind bringing Paulo back into the fold, would be to mentor up-and-coming talents such as Ata Mariota who has broken out for the Raiders this year and could be a specialist bench middle for Toa Samoa.
The final bench spot will be occupied by Luciano Leilua, who has got the job done for Samoa on four different occasions since his debut in the test arena back in 2019.
Who featured for Samoa the last time they played a rugby league Test match?
Samoa lost 34-16 in their last outing at the hands of an in-form English side.
Selectors were given a difficult task as they were met with a slew of injuries before the side boarded their flight to Leeds, but managed to patch together an inexperienced side.
At fullback, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck played in his second game for Samoa after defecting from the Kiwis upon his return to rugby league.
A makeshift backline of Jeral Skelton, Fetalaiga Pauga, Jake Tago and Deine Mariner rounded out the back-five.
Blaize Talagi stared at five-eighth, and Jeremiah Nanai started in the back-row after electing to represent Samoa instead of Australia.
Meanwhile, Shawn Blore and Lazarus Vaalepu both played after featuring for Melbourne in a losing grand final effort against the all-conquering Panthers.
Gordon Chan Kum Tong served as the utility with Simi Sasagi and Keenan Palasia also joining him on the pine. Anthony Milford was the 18th man.