'What goes on in the islands stays in the islands' seems to be the way matches are officiated in the Pacific and it's a good job that's the case. The phrase was used by a referee last year in Apia when one particular Samoan player flew in for a tackle leading with a raised knee making clear contact with an opposition head. The action had red card written all over it but being in Samoa the official gave me the benefit of the doubt.

JP Doyle will need a similar temperament this weekend when Fiji clash with Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup if the cards are to stay in his pocket. This particular affair is always a fierce encounter as the Pacific's top two sides go to war over regional supremacy. And unlike most international rugby games, battles between these two begin a long time before any whistle is blown.

A big part of any all-Pacific matchup is the cunning tactics employed by the host union in the build up. As a player, the psychology leading into one of these games can take as much a toll as the rugby itself. In 2005 our hotel in Fiji resembled a run down prison while the training field was an hour away and littered with protruding volcanic rock.

Another time Samoan students had recently killed a Fijian student in a drunken brawl and so relations between the two countries were particularly heated. The Fijians decided the best place for us to train would be in the University compound, the hostile scene of the crime.

While better levels of accommodation and facilities are now enforced by World Rugby there are more ways to skin a cat. One of my favourite memories is that of former Samoa coach Michael Jones on a match day, standing roadside flagging down taxis when the team bus meant to deliver us to the stadium in Suva didn't show up.

Samoa training in 2005, during Michael Jones' time in charge. (Photo by Fairfax Media/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

Needless to say when the Fijians have played us in Samoa we have been only too happy to return the favour. Unannounced deliveries of salt rich, energy-sapping foods including roast pigs and taro are one way to slow down fleet-footed Fijians. 'Misplaced' drink dispatches, faulty buses and grassless training pitches have all been profoundly apologised for in the past.

Being amateur unions it's hard to prove whether these occurrences are planned or genuine blunders. Whatever the reasoning there is no denying that all the hiccups and mishaps have had their desired effect; only one away victory has been managed by either side in 13 years.

Fiji vs. Samoa - head to head Played: 47

Fiji wins: 26

Samoa wins: 19

Draws: 2

Largest winning margin: Fiji 60-0 Samoa (Jul. 20 1996)

That match took place last year when Samoa beat Fiji 18-13 in Suva. This Saturday in Sacramento the Fijians will be keen to amend that wrong. The Fijian strength has always been their backline play and they will be hoping to get game-breakers such as Waisea Nayacalevu, Metuisela Talebula and Levani Botia in to the game as early as possible.

Samoa's game plan against Fiji has proven successful as of late and won't vary much from last time the two sides met. Keeping the ball tight and eliminating targets for the Fijian hit men and intercept merchants will be a big part of that. Field position and big set piece pressure another.

Both camps will be feeling positive after posting first round wins last weekend though neither side was terribly convincing. Fiji beat Tonga with a try at the death, while Samoa just held out against the USA. This weekend's match in all probability will decide who takes home the Pacific Nations Cup trophy and more importantly, much needed confidence and momentum heading into Rugby World Cup.

And already the mind games have begun. On route to California, Fiji Airways managed to lose the majority of the Samoan team luggage and training gear which disturbed much of last weeks preparation. And so the rich tradition of pre-match sabotage/disruption that runs hand in hand with this rivalry continues.