The Cook Islands fought hard at the Rugby League World Cup against Pacific dynamo on the rise, Papua New Guinea, eventually falling short 32-16.
Papua New Guinea is often given the sole credit for 'nationalising' the sport of rugby league, but the tiny South Pacific gems which make up the Cook Islands also go against the tide of other Pasifika nations.
They rank rugby league above the other great love of the Pacific, rugby union, despite their close relationship with union behemoths New Zealand.
The growth of the game is highlighted by the fact the Cook Islands has the newly minted Conan's Cup for women's league, while they joined PNG as the only Pacific nations to qualify both their women and their men at this world cup.
So when the Kukis of the Cook Islands and Kumuls of PNG met on the world stage, it was a battle of national pride unrivalled by any other teams in the tournament.
At half-time, it was 10-8 in favour of PNG.
Despite being massive underdogs, the Kukis put the pressure on in the first half before the Kumuls regathered themselves and piled on the tries to confirm the win.
After the victory, the Kumuls have one foot in the quarter-finals before what should be an easy win in their final pool round match with Wales.
The Cook Islands will have to beat powerhouse Tonga to stand a chance of progressing — but the Kukis are playing for more than wins.
Kukis captain Esan Marsters said a good performance would hopefully entice players to come back and play for Cook Islands.
"We want to encourage Cook Islands kids who have dual eligibility to come back and play for the Cook Islands," he said.
Somehow, this year's trend of high-profile players choosing to represent their nations of heritage over Australia and New Zealand has missed the Cook Islands.
Dual eligibility player Valentine Holmes would have been the big catch for the Kukis, but he picked Australia. Jordan Rapana is another high profile player with eligibility, who opted for New Zealand.
The Cook Islands has a population of fewer than 20,000. They are the smallest country playing at the World Cup by a long shot.
And despite not landing the likes of Holmes and Rapana, they still managed to attract a slew of lower profile players from the NRL, including Davvy Moale (Rabbitohs), Tepai Moeroa (Storm), Makahesi Makatoa (Eels) and skipper Marsters, who plays in the English Super League.
But Kukis head coach Tony Iro has concerns about eligibility rules for the future of tiny island nation.
"We've made requests to International Rugby League Federation," he said.
"Our young men are now becoming second, and third- generation born in New Zealand and Australia, even though they're full Cook Islander heritage."
According to the current rules, players can't claim country rights above their grandparents' birthplace. Iro believes small nations like the Cook Islands should have that rule relaxed.
One footy legend of Cook Islander heritage has said he would put his hand up to be involved.
Karmichael Hunt retired from playing last year, but said he would love to be a part of the Kukis coaching squad in the future.
The rugby league prodigy was the youngest to ever to play for the Brisbane Broncos at 17 years old.
Back when he was being selected to play international footy, if he'd chosen the Cook Islands, the birthplace of his grandmother and home of his grandparents -- he would have been barred from the State of Origin.
That rule changed in 2016.
But under the 'grandparent rule', Hunt's children will not be eligible to play for the Cook Islands.
Hunt believes the passionate footy nation deserves to rise in international rugby league.
"It was village playing against village," he said.
"They were very, very rough games. Let's just say I was afraid of what I might be getting myself into."
Despite the loss to PNG, the Kukis have made some important steps for the future of their national sport at this Rugby League World Cup.
Their qualification, their first-round win against Wales, and their fight against the Kumuls has demonstrated their potential.
And their world cup campaigns will always have the backing of an entire homeland as well as diaspora of passionate Cook Islanders the world over.
