History will be made when the Western Clydesdales and PNG Hunters clash in the first round of the Queensland Cup in Toowoomba on Sunday.
The Clydesdales are returning to the Queensland Cup for the first time in 17 years, having not played in the competition since losing the 2006 grand final.
Previously known as the Toowoomba Clydesdales, the club were a force in the 1990s and 2000s, with two premierships and four grand-final appearances during an 11-year run.
The club helped produce State of Origin talent such as Justin Hodges, Carl Webb, Ben Ikin, Sam Thaiday and Ashley Harrison.
For the Hunters, this is their first season returning to play on home soil in almost three years, having been relocated to the Gold Coast in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Queensland Cup will be back in Port Moresby for a full schedule of 11 matches this season.
Playing home matches in front of their compatriots is a driving force for the Hunters this year. Queensland Cup crowds in Australia may reach as high as 1,000 spectators, but in Port Moresby, the figure can be upwards of 10,000.
The return home is shaping a reboot for the Hunters, who have a new coaching staff and a host of changes to the playing squad.
Stanley Tepend takes the reins as head coach this year with the support of Kumuls legend Paul Aiton as his assistant.
Tepend and Aiton hope to steer the team beyond their 12th-placed finish last year.
"We've got lots of new faces in the squad this year, which is exciting for the club," Aiton said.
"For some of them, this will be the first time travelling to and playing in Australia. It's a good opportunity for us to get rid of any nerves and dive right in."
While it might take a few weeks for back line combinations to be established, a powerful running game through the middle of the field is the Hunters' calling card and is expected to be on show in Toowoomba.
Junior Rop, Epel Kapinias and Ila Alu make up a strong middle-forward trio, while Sherwin Tanabi and debutant Julius Yakopa line up on the edges.
Experienced hooker Wesser Tenza is the man at the ruck and will be tasked with bringing his hard-running forwards into the game.
A recent trial against Fiji's Kaiviti Silktails was a good example of the Hunters' ability to dominate the middle third and create scoring opportunities on the back of their momentum.
Tenza and Rop struck up a damaging combination in that match, with Rop scoring a hat-trick of tries as the Hunters crashed through the middle of the field.
Playing with great vision and sleight of hand from dummy half, Tenza can manipulate defenders and put his forwards into positive areas around the ruck.
His ball-playing smarts may trouble the Clydesdales' middle defence on Sunday if the Hunters can earn themselves attacking field position.
Former Melbourne Storm prop Darryn Schonig will captain the Clydesdales on Sunday in front of an eager home crowd.
The team has a mix of youth and experience, with the roster made up of Queensland Cup players, regional and local talent, as well as some who have played in the NRL.
Try-scoring machine Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga — formerly with the Brisbane Tigers — will headline the backs.
The team is boldly forging a new era for rugby league in Toowoomba and with big boots to fill.
Aiton has plenty of respect for the Clydesdales and is not expecting an easy match.
"The players coming from that area — they're always tough," Aiton said.
"It's their first game back in the competition and we know they're not going to come lightly.
"It'll be a physical battle."
