Kangaroos skipper Boyd Cordner has said his Australian teammates would have played for free to face Mate Ma'a Tonga in a historic rugby league test in Auckland.
It will be the first time the two nations have squared off, which will be played in front of a sell-out crowd at Mt Smart Stadium.
The match will be a special occasion for Tonga. who defied the odds at last year's Rugby League World Cup when they reached the semi-finals.
Tonga's biggest stars then called out Australia to face them in a match, and eventually a deal was reached.
The match nearly didn't go ahead however due to the cost, but the Kangaroos took a 75 percent pay cut - they'll take home just $3000 each.
"If you ask anyone in the Australian team, we would have played for free," said Cordner.
"There was a lot of talk about the pay cut and everything like that, and how passionate Tonga is, but it is just the same for Australia, or it is for me.
"I love this jersey, and it is the pinnacle of rugby league to play for your country. It has always been a dream of mine since I could remember, so for me it means everything.
"I think Mal [Meninga] might have spoken to a few players to let us know what was going to happen and what was required to let this game go ahead. For myself, I was more than happy to."
Kangaroos coach Meninga believes that all countries should be paid the same wage to represent their country.
"I would say they should be paid a dollar if the game is making a dollar out of these games, but I just think it should be fair and equitable among all the nations," Meninga said.
"Whether they are getting $3000 or $5000 or $10,000, I just think it should be equal for all countries.
"It wasn't a hard conversation. They just put their hands up straight away and said they are willing to play for their country, like Boyd said, for nothing. That is a tremendous attitude to do that."
The Kangaroos will be aiming to bounce back from last week's 26-24 loss to New Zealand, and avoid consecutive losses in the same calendar year for the first time since 1978.
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Join us at 7:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Mate Ma'a Tonga vs Australian Kangaroos league test at Mt Smart Stadium.
