The battle of the forwards is what both the NZ Warriors and South Sydney Rabbitohs believe will decide Friday's round six NRL clash.
The injury depleted Warriors forward pack had fans concerned at the start of the season, but the players brought in to fill the gaps have more than held their own.
"It's just the young boys wanting to play and willing to learn off the experienced players," says NZ's Agnatius Paasi.
Rabbitohs' prop Thomas Burgess offers the ultimate praise to his upcoming counterparts.
"As a forward pack on the whole, I think they've been running really hard and probably the best in the comp at the moment," says Burgess.
It's a forward pack that's been scrambled together in recent weeks.
One of those who's staked his claim for a spot in the squad is prop King Vuniyayawa, who almost lost hope on his NRL dream.
"To be honest, I was probably getting ready to go back to work after new year," Vuniyayawa admits. "Not knowing if I'll get game time, and this and that."
Vuniyayawa came to New Zealand fifteen years ago from Fiji. Originally a rugby union player, he made the switch to rugby league after watching Jarryd Hayne star for Fiji .
"I was always a union head. I maybe started watching league in 2008...I watched the World Cup, and I watched Jarryd Hayne playing and I was like' holy heck, who is this guy'.
"I was always playing union, but on the weekends I was always watching league."
He realised his own dream of playing for Fiji at the World Cup of Nines last year, in Australia.
"To play for Fiji was just an amazing experience being in camp with those guys. It's just a blessing for me to be here right now."
Vuniyayawa has one more wish to tick off - a home game for the Warriors at Mt Smart in front of his family.
"It's something I think about .... I could get really nervous with the pressure and stuff, but it would probably be the best thing ever.
"Running out to that crowd at Mt Smart, the whole of New Zealand backing you. It's a massive dream of mine."
The injury crisis has given the likes of Vuniyayawa, as well as Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Eli Katoa, a chance to prove themselves, and so far it's working for Stephen Kearney's side.
"They're bringing the battle to me, so I've got to go out there every training session and prove to them that I'm coming for them." adds Paasi.
The NZ pack will have their work cut out this week, facing the likes of Cameron Murray and Thomas Burgess against Souths on Friday.
"They're big boys, those dudes," admits Vuniyayawa. "They can run and they're massive."
But the Rabbitohs know it won't be easy for them either.
Watch the full story above
Join us for live updates of Warriors v Rabbitohs from 8pm Friday
