As teams from the Southern Hemisphere continue to arrive in England, the biggest challenge they face is overcoming the inevitable jet lag.
Team management from the 14 nations competing in the Rugby League World Cup have lifted the standard in attempting to have players as fresh as possible as soon as possible for this tournament.
While the difference in budgets between teams is noticeable - the richer Rugby League nations travelled at the pointy end of the plane - much care and effort has gone into keeping players hydrated, rested and in as good physical shape as possible.
Despite their best efforts, Australia winger Jarryd Hayne was struggling with the rest of his team mates as they awoke in Manchester.
"I was in bed by 11pm last night but up at 4.30am wide awake," said Hayne. "It was probably the earliest I've ever had breakfast.
"There was a couple of boys down there (at breakfast), me, Cooper (Cronk), Billy (Slater), B Moz (Brett Morris) and Gal (Paul Gallen), same thing, couldn't sleep.
"We haven't adjusted yet, it's going to be hard.
"Hopefully I can try to stay awake today and get back into a sleeping pattern tonight."
Australia cancelled a planned training session, with the full squad affected by the round the world journey.
Hayne made the most of the experience of previous tours, but was still wrestling with his body.
"I think I've tried every trick in the book," said Hayne. "I was well hydrated, energy drinks, tablets, just keeping the body full of fluid.
"Nothing is working!
"You need four or five days to get your sleeping pattern right. Coming over this time I thought I handled it a lot better.
"I'm sure once we start training things will go back to normal."
Unlike their rivals, Australia will not play a warm up game this weekend, Coach Tim Sheens preferring a regime of intense training to prepare his team for the crucial opening fixture against England at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on October 26th.
Team management from the 14 nations competing in the Rugby League World Cup have lifted the standard in attempting to have players as fresh as possible as soon as possible for this tournament.
While the difference in budgets between teams is noticeable - the richer Rugby League nations travelled at the pointy end of the plane - much care and effort has gone into keeping players hydrated, rested and in as good physical shape as possible.
Despite their best efforts, Australia winger Jarryd Hayne was struggling with the rest of his team mates as they awoke in Manchester.
"I was in bed by 11pm last night but up at 4.30am wide awake," said Hayne. "It was probably the earliest I've ever had breakfast.
"There was a couple of boys down there (at breakfast), me, Cooper (Cronk), Billy (Slater), B Moz (Brett Morris) and Gal (Paul Gallen), same thing, couldn't sleep.
"We haven't adjusted yet, it's going to be hard.
"Hopefully I can try to stay awake today and get back into a sleeping pattern tonight."
Australia cancelled a planned training session, with the full squad affected by the round the world journey.
Hayne made the most of the experience of previous tours, but was still wrestling with his body.
"I think I've tried every trick in the book," said Hayne. "I was well hydrated, energy drinks, tablets, just keeping the body full of fluid.
"Nothing is working!
"You need four or five days to get your sleeping pattern right. Coming over this time I thought I handled it a lot better.
"I'm sure once we start training things will go back to normal."
Unlike their rivals, Australia will not play a warm up game this weekend, Coach Tim Sheens preferring a regime of intense training to prepare his team for the crucial opening fixture against England at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on October 26th.
