The Australian physical disability rugby league side have touched down in the United Kingdom, ahead of their World Cup campaign which kicks off at the weekend.
One of four teams competing - alongside New Zealand, England and Wales - the green and gold entered camp last Sunday in Sydney before making the 24 hour journey to the Northern Hemisphere on Wednesday for the tournament.
Gold Coast Titan Hudson Wicks, one of nine to represent the club, was ecstatic to get the call-up to represent his country in early September and that excitement has not waned since entering camp last weekend.
"It's been unreal. We got into camp on Sunday and we've only been with the boys for a few days now, but already we're really close," he said.
"It's just been so good to put on the green and gold... it's always been something I've dreamt about as a kid and I'm very, very grateful to be here."
Hudson, you're going to the World Cup!
Linking up with the New South Wales PDRL team after defeating them 26-0 earlier in the year at Cbus Super Stadium, the fierce rivalry between the pair quickly disintegrated since joining forces to represent their nation, bonding quickly to help bring home the prestigious silverware.
"Three months ago, they were our enemy; but now, they're like our best mates," Wicks said.
"They've just been so welcoming to us and really made us feel at home onto their home turf. It's been really good and we couldn't have asked for their support enough."
As well as the support of their fellow teammates, Wicks' side also was inspired by a number of special messages by rugby league identities and even backing from the most coveted position in Australia.
"To get a personal message from from the Prime Minister was just so cool," he said.
"I've never travelled this far before and I don't think any of the boys really have, so to get advice from someone like Cronulla's Lachlan Millar, who's played Rugby 7s around the world, he knows what it takes to be on these long flights.
"Just hearing from him, Luke Burt and all those former NRL players, it's been really good to get their advice and I think all the boys will take it in good stead."
Keen to hit the ground running from the opening whistle, the Australian team is expecting dogged opposition from the other three teams, although they will be sight unseen for the 19-year-old until he faces off against them this week.
"I'm expecting tough competition. I've haven't really seen much video footage of them but I reckon they're going to be pretty tough, but we've got a pretty tough squad as well," Wicks said.
"I'm looking forward to a good hit out and I just can't wait to get over there."
The occasion will also be extra special with both his parents making the journey over to the UK from the Gold Coast, with Wicks hoping he can score a four-pointer for them... although he feels he may need to curb his enthusiasm with his post-try celebrations.
"Hopefully I can get a try for them. Dad managed to get time off work and so did mum, so it'll be pretty good to have them over there as support and hopefully I can score a try in front of him. That'd be pretty cool," he said.
"I might have to watch it though as I tend to go a bit over the top with my try celebrations.
"It's a big commitment for them as well obviously flying from the Gold Coast to England, so I can't thank them enough for their support.
"I'll see them when we get to London or Warrington, but that's going be pretty cool having them over there."
The Australians will take on England to start their campaign before facing New Zealand and then Wales ahead of finals.
Watch all matches live via the RLWC2021 app and BBC online.
Australia PDRL matches
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- Australia v England - 1.30am (AEST) Monday, October 24
- Australia v New Zealand - 1.30am (AEST) Wednesday, October 26
- Australia v Wales - 4am (AEST) Saturday, October 29
