The Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg Cup side departs for Fiji this weekend to take on the Kaiviti Silktails in one of the most valuable development opportunities for the Club's Under 21s program.
While the side remains firmly focused on securing a finals spot, the trip presents a rare opportunity to experience rugby league in a completely different environment, with many players embarking on their first overseas rugby league experience.
For lock Blake Van Drie, it's an opportunity he's excited to have.
After injuries ruled him out of previous overseas opportunities, the Wests Tigers pathways graduate is excited to finally experience playing rugby league abroad.
"I'm really looking forward to the trip away," Van Drie said.
"We're a pretty close group, so it'll be good to get away together.
"It's my first opportunity to go overseas with league, so I'm really excited about it.
"I'm super grateful for the opportunity here, and I'm just hoping to play well for the boys, and hopefully we can come away with the win."
Captain Jeriko Talisau echoed those sentiments, embracing both the football challenge and the chance to experience Fiji's unique rugby league culture.
"We're more focused on connecting with each other as we travel over to Fiji," Talisau said.
"It's definitely something pretty cool to add to the résumé."
Having previously visited Fiji, Talisau is looking forward to returning, albeit for just 24 hours.
"For the time that we have there, I'm definitely excited just to be in a different environment and experience a different culture."
The Kaiviti Silktails have become an important part of the Jersey Flegg Cup competition, providing valuable opportunities for players in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.
"I feel like it's a great opportunity, not just for us to travel over there, but also for the boys in Fiji to play against teams in this competition," Talisau said.
Having already faced the Silktails earlier this season, he expects another physical contest.
"They're very physical. It'll definitely be a tough game, so we've just got to stick together."
Head Coach Shane Sultana believes the experience extends well beyond the 80 minutes.
"I think it'll be a good chance for the boys to reconnect, really enjoy each other's company and make it about themselves," Sultana said.
"It's invaluable.”
Sultana expects the conditions to provide one of the biggest challenges his side has faced all season.
"The heat will have a very big impact, along with the travel," he said.
"It's a very different game of rugby league over there.
"A lot of teams have gone over there and lost. If you go over there with the wrong mindset, you're going to feel the pain of that."
Despite a difficult stretch through the middle of the season, Sultana believes his young squad has responded strongly in recent weeks and enters the trip with confidence.
"I thought our culture has stayed really strong," he said.
"The boys have really enjoyed themselves, and that made it easier for us to bounce back.
"I couldn't be prouder of the group, and we're very interested to see how we go in Fiji."
There was a noticeable energy at Thursday's captain's run, with the squad embracing the opportunity to share an experience that few Pathways sides get.
Sultana knows exactly what his side will be coming up against at Lautoka’s Churchill Park on Saturday.
"We're playing for our club and our logo, but they're playing for their country."
