Fiji and Papua New Guinea will get the chance to blow out a few cobwebs before the Rugby League World Cup, as part of of an international tri series in Suva today.
The Bati and Kumuls will square off at ANZ Stadium, before PNG and Fiji take on Australia, with all three matches lasting 40 minutes each.
The Fiji Bati squad in Suva. Photo: Fiji Rugby League
Fiji coach Mick Potter said it was a great opportunity to test themselves against the world champions, especially in front of home supporters.
"To be able to showcase what they've got against the best in the world and certainly Papua New Guinea are an up and coming team, as you've seen in the Queensland Cup, and they're going to be stronger again."
"It will be a fair challenge for the Fijians and I know that they won't leave anything left than their best, when they go out and play, and I'm looking forward to the challenge. They will certainly give a good account of themselves, our players," he said.
PNG Kumuls captain David Mead. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Papua New Guinea captain David Mead said the triple-header was a really good test to see where they're at two weeks out from the start of the World Cup.
"I guess the main thing for us is preparing like we're playing an 80 minute game because that's the schedule for this weekend - we play the first 80."
"I guess you're going to see different coloured uniforms, different players so I think the key part of it is giving your best as a player and working together as a team, whether that's against Fiji or against Australia," he said.
The PNG Kumuls squad training in Suva. Photo: PNG Kumuls
PNG open their World Cup campaign against Wales in Port Moresby, while Fiji's first match is against the United States in Townsville.
Niue get World Cup taster
Niue get the chance to test themselves against an experienced Lebanon team in a Rugby League World Cup warm-up match in Sydney this afternoon.
The Cedars are captained by South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Robbie Farah, with Parramatta Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses named vice-captain for the Middle Eastern nation's first World Cup appearance since 2000.
Former Eels, Raiders and Broncos fullback Reece Robinson is also set to feature for the Brad Fittler coached Lebanese, after spending the last two seasons with the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby.
Other players with NRL experience include Parramatta skipper Tim Mannah, Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa, Wests Tigers prop Alex Twal, Ray Moujalli and Travis Robinson.
Niue are ranked 31st in the world, 10 places behind the Cedars.
