As NZ Kiwis prepare to face Mate Ma'a Tonga, coach Michael Maguire admits the damage done to international rugby league through COVID-19 is immeasurable.
Before their first game in more than two years, Maguire insists parties across the game have a responsibility to restore the international spectacle to its former glory.
Currently without the drama that comes with coaching in the NRL, Maguire's focus is solely on the NZ national side and the talent at his disposal has him excited.
"We've got 5-10 players in a number of the positions that we're having to make some big, big decisions around who's going to be selected," he told Newshub.
Maguire has made a point of staying connected with those players through COVID, so they can hit the ground running when their hiatus finally ends this weekend.
"Everywhere I go, I'm talking to players about what they're building, and the thought of playing in a World Cup and working very hard to be successful for their country," he said. "It's very special."
But he admits the pandemic has taken its toll on should be the game's pinnacle.
"You probably can't really measure what it has done to the game, but I think we've got to look forward now to what we can build," he said. "The international game is a very special piece of rugby league."
Maguire is calling on everyone involved in the game to make internationals a priority with a World Cup looming.
"Everyone's got a responsibility to do that... the NRL, everyone. The international community needs to make sure they get it going again now.
"I'm sure the World Cup's going to be enormous."
This week marks the first step towards that showpiece.
Join us at 5:20pm Saturday for live updates of the Kiwis v Tonga test
