Nine rounds into the NRL season and the representative season is upon as.
Tradition rivals Australia and New Zealand will go toe to toe in Canberra on Friday night, with three Pacific Tests to take place on Saturday before City Origin takes on Country Origin for what will be the final clash between the two sides on Sunday.
Friday Night, GIO Stadium
The rivalry between the two sides has reach great heights in recent times with the Kiwis holding the wood over the Kangaroos before the green and gold men responded in 2016 with a number of dominant performances, culminating with a 34-8 win at Anfield in the Four Nations final last October.
As per usual, Mal Meninga has rewarded his loyal players, despite some of them not being at the peak of their powers for their NRL clubs, while Andrew Fifita returns to the national fold.
Darius Boyd suffered a hamstring scare on Tuesday but Cooper Cronk said the fullback will play on Friday night in a mouth-watering match up with the returning Roger Tuivasa-Sheck while Johnathan Thurston will also be good to go in the nation's capital.
Cameron Smith will run out for the 50th time in the green and gold, becoming just the second player to do so after his predecessor Darren Lockyer. There's no doubting the Kangaroos will want to make it one to remember for their battle-tested skipper.
For the Kiwis, Keiran Foran also makes his return as he and Warriors teammate Shaun Johnson pair up in the halves as their intimidating front pack led by captain Jesse Bromwich will look to bully the Kangaroos around the park. Dally M medallist Jason Taumalolo, Kevin Proctor and Adam Blair also start in the pack in a line up not short for star power.
Friday is the start of the run in to the end of year World Cup as this game will have a little more meaning than just a usual one-off Test.
The Kangaroos will seek to continue their recent winning formula against a refreshed Kiwi side and despite a couple of injuries to regular starters, the Roos should come out on top.
Kangaroos by 8.
Saturday Afternoon, Campbelltown
A triple header in Campbelltown kicks off on Saturday afternoon at 3.15pm as the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea clash in the suburban NSW town.
Alex Glenn and Reuben Porter headline the Cook Islands squad while the Boas brothers will pair up in the halves. Young Storm winger Justin Olam will also line up in the starting side, as does young Bulldog Rhys Martin.
In what should be a free-flowing and exciting game, expect a high scoring affair to open proceedings for the day.
Papua New Guinea by 10.
Saturday Afternoon, Campbelltown
In a game that has the promise to be the match of the day, a host of NRL stars - both young and old - well be on show as the likes of Will Hopoate, Addin Fonua-Blake, Tuimoala Lolohea join elder statesmen Manu Vatuvei and Tony Williams in the Tongan squad.
Daniel Tupou, Felise Kaufusi and Leilani Latu are just a few more names who will be on show as they come up against flying Fijian wingers in Akuila Uate and Suliasi Vunivalu, who will be primed to light up the Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Marcelo Montoya, Waqa Blake and Kevin Naiqama and Korbin Sims will also appear for Fiji, however, the Tongans will start as firm favourites for the match.
Tonga by 8.
Saturday Night, Campbelltown
The trio of games concludes with England - as always, represented by the Burgess brothers - taking on Samoa.
Thomas and Sam Burgess will be led by Sean O'Loughlin in a squad that includes Chris McQueen, James Graham and Chris Heighington as they come up against Joseph Leilua, Josh McGuire, Antonio Winterstein and Anthony Milford.
Enforcer Sam Kasiano and Mata'utia brothers Peter and Sione are also included in the squad set to take on Wayne Bennett's men.
England has shown steady improvement since Bennett took over the squad last year and will be looking to build on that heading into the World Cup later this year.
England by 12.
Sunday Afternoon, Mudgee
A host of big names have made themselves unavailable for what will be the final City v Country clash yet there is still a wide array of talent on show in Mudgee on Sunday afternoon.
The big names start at the battle of the number ones, as Michael Gordon takes on Penrith captain Matt Moylan while Melbourne backs Josh Addo-Carr and Cheyse Blair - who tore apart St George Illawarra last weekend - will find themselves almost matching up on the other this weekend.
Paul Gallen returns from his representative retirement to lead the City side and will have Panthers enforcer James Tamou in his corner for this bout as they take on Storm hardman Dale Finucane and in-form Dragons big man Paul Vaughan.
A crowd of over 6000 people is expected in country NSW to farewell a one-time meaningful representative game. Last year, 74 points were scored in an exciting spectacle in Tamworth.
We could see a similar scoreline this season with the amount of attacking talent waiting in the wings.
Country by 6.