New Zealand's Kieran Foran will be out to seek revenge against Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's Kangaroos when two of the Titans' biggest names clash in this Saturday's Pacific Championships final.
Having been eliminated by Australia in last year's World Cup semi-final after an enthralling 16-14 contest, the proud Kiwi has been named to start at hooker for the International decider; with Fa'asuamaleaui back to start in the green and gold after getting the week off to freshen up for the finale.
Further igniting the motivational flame is the most recent result between the Trans Tasman rivals with Kangaroos notching up a 36-18 win in their penultimate fixture of the tournament last Saturday, but New Zealand have the home ground advantage on their side this time round, with the clash to be played at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
The two Gold Coast stars have only squared off once before in action for their respective nations which was the 2022 World Cup playoff in Leeds; both playing off the bench - Fa'asuamaleaui getting through 14 minutes up front, whilst Foran took on hooking duties for almost the final quarter of the game.
Match highlights: Australia v New Zealand
But whilst Tino may lead 1-0 in their International head-to-head, it's the 282-game playmaker that has bragging rights in the NRL; having won three games to one when the duo have been opposite ends of the field.
This included a trifecta of victories for the Sea Eagles in 2021-22; and whilst the Titans triumphantly took down Manly at the backend of 2022 season, the Gold Coast skipper didn't play due to the birth of his second child.
Ahead of this weekend's final, the Kiwis will be aiming to break a five-year drought against Australia with the challengers having only winning only two of their past 10 matches against the top ranked side.
Foran's switch to No. 9 has proven to be a masterstroke by coach Michael Maguire, with the usual five-eighth averaging 53 minutes in the role across his two appearances, making 31 tackles per game with an inspirational show of relentlessness in the middle third.
Fa'asuamaleaui was a powerhouse in his first Pacific Championships appearance, scoring his first International try and dominating up front to make 132 running metres - 60 of those post-contact - alongside busting six tackles.
The 23-year-old will be a handful for his opposition, especially enjoying the week off with fellow enforcer Payne Haas who also earned a freshen up.
The Pacific Championships final kicks off at 2pm (QLD).
