Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton have only played together for a singular season, but their almost telepathic combination should have Scotland worried this weekend.
It's the representative combo that almost never was, as Burton's New South Wales debut coincided with Addo-Carr's dropping from the Blues outfit, a decision Brad Fittler will likely backflip on in 2023.
Donning the unconventional No. 9 and 12, Addo-Carr will line-up on the left wing while Burton will be one man inside, parked at left centre, the same position he not only made his Origin debut in, but where he won the 2021 NRL premiership with Penrith.
While Trent Barrett and Michael Potter chopped and changed different halfbacks to pair with Burton, Addo-Carr was a constant for the five-eighth, featuring in 23 of the 24 matches the headgear-wearing half played for Canterbury in 2022.
While he won't get to line-up outside best mate Latrell Mitchell this weekend, Addo-Carr is excited to run out alongside his Bulldogs team mate, especially after some suggested the move was the death of their representative career.
"We've worked extremely hard through the year but we improved as it went on," he told the AAP.
"It's only upwards from here, it's special to be a part of and there was lots of noise about us not making rep sides.
"It's good for us boys but it's great for this club and it's put a shining light on the Bulldogs."
Surprisingly, it won't be the only Belmore reunion on show when the Kangaroos face Scotland, with Canterbury's Jersey Flegg Player of the Year, Bailey Hayward, lining up for the Bravehearts.
"Bala Bailey, he's one of the younger boys who has trained with the first-grade squad a number of times," Addo-Carr told AAP.
"He's a smart player so we'll have our work cut out. He's only a little fella, a nippy one at that.
"He reminds me of Ben Hunt who got the under 20s' player of the year award.
"That tells me he had a great year and helped us out and I think he's got a bright future. If he keeps working hard I've no doubt that he'll be there."
While nothing is set in stone, pundits are tipping a large victory for the Kangaroos as they look to lock in a Quarter Final berth against Scotland, 5:30am Saturday AEDT.