For the last two years, Super Rugby has largely been reduced to a domestic competition as COVID-19 forced mass changes.
On Wednesday, it became trans-Tasman again, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand was opening its borders to Australia from April 12.
"We are reopening, and I'm asking our Australian family and friends to book their tickets," Ardern said.
And Australian Super Rugby sides are ready to book theirs.
Melbourne Rebels are the first side from across the ditch, due here at the start of May to play the Blues.
New Zealand Rugby is finally able to breathe easy.
"It gives us a lot of confidence," says NZR's head of tournaments and competitions Cameron Good.
"We know we can get the Australian teams in, we don't have any of the visa complications we had previously."
With visa-waiver countries able to come from May 1, it also gives the green light to Ireland's tour in July, as well as the Women's Rugby World Cup later this year.
"It just gives us so much more certainty to plan for," Good adds.
For All Blacks and Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara, the announcement brings relief. A return to a more normal Super Rugby structure is something he's been longing for.
"It's a big part of Super Rugby, is that ability to travel and to play against different styles of footy," he tells Newshub.
"Being able to travel away and play in a different country, it's a little bit more hostile."
Today's announcement is also welcome news for the Blackcaps, who've seen their home summers decimated over the past two years as isolation requirements continue to put an end to tours.
"It's always good that the country is starting to open up," coach Gary Stead says. "Hopefully that brings some normality back to everyone's lives."
Normality is just what Wellington Phoenix are hoping for too, but time may not be on their side.
Unless they can be assured crowd restrictions will improve, it's unlikely the side will return home this season.
"We'd need to know within the next two weeks," says general manager David Dome. "I'd suggest if there's no movement before April, it'll be very, very hard."
But after two years in the wilderness, finally some guarantees for New Zealand's sporting codes.
