Make no mistake about it, the Pacific Test is a big deal.
Campbelltown, Macarthur and the south west region will benefit greatly from having not one, not two but three international clashes at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this Saturday.
These will not be second rate, “pretend’’ rugby league internationals.
They will be fair dinkum, with the best available players selected for all six countries.
Rugby league is making a big push to make the international game more popular and this weekend is a big part of this strategy.
Australia will be taking on New Zealand on Friday night in Canberra, and there’s no doubt this game is between the top two rugby league countries in the world at the moment.
Great Britain is not far behind in third place and they will take on Samoa in the final Saturday night match at Campbelltown.
In the other two, traditional rivals Tonga and Fiji will face off before then, with PNG and the Cook Islands to get proceedings under way from 3.15pm.
City-Country is on Sunday, rounding off a rare representative only weekend for the greatest game of all.
And we are lucky enough to be among all that, playing a pivotal role as the host of the Pacific Test series.
We ought to be grateful to the NRL for recognising that we have a fine, first class stadium.
It is also recognition that thousands of people of Pacific heritage have made their home in our neck of the woods.
They are wonderful community members across the region and this Saturday will be a fitting tribute to them all.
The Pacific Test comes in the wake of another Campbelltown Sports Stadium coup: three Asian Champions League matches featuring our own football club, the Western Sydney Wanderers.
It’s proof, if any were needed, that this region has got what it takes to put on big sporting events, from rugby to soccer and league.
Good luck to all six countries on Saturday.
