South Sydney Rabbitohs are happy to do their part in giving back to New Zealand rugby league, after NZ Warriors' COVID-19 sacrifices.
From 2020 to mid-2022, the Warriors didn't play a single home game, relocating to Australia for three seasons.
Despite the NRL's talk of paying the Warriors back, the Auckland side have just 12 'home' games this season and were even required to take a home match to Brisbane as part of the competition's Magic Round.
Wests Tigers have bucked the trend by bringing one of their home matches to Hamilton, but other NRL teams will play in New Zealand only when required.
Nine regular season games will be played at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, with the potential of more, should the Warriors secure playoffs football.
As a result, they have drawn incredible home support this season, averaging more than 21,000 fans per game. Only the club's inaugural 1995 season has seen a larger average attendance.
That trend continues this week, with Friday's clash against South Sydney sold out.
As the fifth side to travel to Mt Smart this season, the Rabbitohs are happy to play their part in thanking the Warriors for what they did to keep the game alive during COVID-19.
"I think it's big, especially for the sacrifices that the Warriors made - not only them, but their families and the game over here in general," said coach Jason Demetriou.
"To get back over here, play in front of their big crowds and put in a performance that respects their sacrifices is really important to us.
"They love their footy over here and we're glad to be here to represent South Sydney."
The Rabbitohs will meet a Warriors side high on confidence, currently fifth on the NRL ladder and riding a three-game winning streak.
In every aspect, they have improved markedly from the side that produced their worst results in 2022.
With such a small sample of home games and four of their nine wins coming on the road, Demetriou knows beating the Warriors at Mt Smart will be no mean feat.
"They've been good on the road and at home, to be fair. They're playing like a united team.
"They're enjoying playing together, that's evident in how they're playing their footy.
"Shaun Johnson's probably in career-best form, Tohu Harris is up there with him as well, [Addin] Fonua-Blake is playing some outstanding footy.
"There's threats across the board. We're going to have to be at our best tomorrow night."
Helping the Rabbitohs is their record in New Zealand, unbeaten at Mt Smart since 2012.
However, the Rabbitohs arrive in Auckland in dire form - recording only one win in their last five matches.
Join Newshub at 8pm Friday for live updates of the Warriors v Rabbitohs clash, or catch live coverage on Three and Three Now
