Tonga's rugby league stars travel to Sydney from as far as the UK and go into camp for a full week before putting their bodies on the line in an international Test match without receiving a single cent.
"All our players come in and basically play for free," said Tonga coach Kristian Woolf.
"We're not in a position where we can pay them … that [they play] shows how much it means to our guys."
It's a harsh reality for a majority of the teams preparing for this weekend's Pacific Test Double Header at Parramatta's Pirtek Stadium.
With shared revenue from just one Test per year and only a handful of sponsors, Tonga isn't able to offer any financial incentives meaning it costs their players to represent their country.
Captain Sika Manu has flown in from Hull, England while most players are selected from Australia and New Zealand to avoid the strain of travel costs.
Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns has taken up a voluntary role as Tonga's assistant coach and has witnessed first-hand the pride that fuels Pacific Island players.
"I see the Samoan guys and the Tongan guys and they're crying. You can see what it means for them and their family, and I think it's really cool," said Johns.
Since their World Cup warm-up in Penrith in 2013, Tonga and Samoa have added to an already intense rivalry, which produced one of the most dramatic finishes the sport has seen in last year's clash won by Samoa on the Gold Coast.
It prompted the NRL to announce the Pacific fixtures will continue to be televised until at least 2022 as part of a new $925 million TV deal, while one Test will be played on the Sunday before Game 2 of the State of Origin series, starting in 2018.
The fixture has also proven to be a springboard for rising stars like Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau and Semi Radradra who have moved on to play for the Kiwis and Kangaroos.
But Tonga's coach believes such players should be allowed to return to the Pacific teams if not picked by Tier One nations.
This year Tuimoala Lolohea, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Will Hopoate and Daniel Tupou expressed an interest in representing Tonga but were denied under the current eligibility rules.
"I think there's a lot of tinkering that needs to happen to the eligibility rules," said Woolf.
"There's a number of players .. they'd all love to be playing with us. They express that every opportunity they get."
As it stands, every NRL player is allowed one international eligibility change. Last year Lolohea and Taukeiaho played for Tonga then represented the Kiwis on the end-of-year tour to England.
The only way they can change eligibility again is if they stand down from international football for two years.
"You throw those four names in our side and not only do they bring class and a lot of confidence but they make the game a really good spectacle for fans," Woolf added.
While the future of the Pacific Test weekend seems to be secured, poor crowd attendance on the Gold Coast last year has prompted a move to Parramatta where there is a large Pacific Island population.
New Zealand has also been touted as a venue for the fixture.
"I would think, with the support that there would be in New Zealand, that it would be a great success," Woolf said. "I'd love to see it but unfortunately I don't get to make those calls."
An NRL spokesperson said they are 'always looking to have discussions with governments and cities around events including the Pacific Double Header.'
Tonga: 1. David Fusitua, 2. Michael Oldfield, 3. Solomone Kata, 4. Vai Toutai, 5. Mosese Pangai, 6. Feleti Mateo, 7. Samisoni Langi, 8. Peni Terepo, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Sika Manu, 12. Tony Williams, 13. Joe Ofahengaue.
Interchange: 14. Nafi Seluini, 15. Dave Fifita, 16. Siosaia Vave, 17. Patrick Kaufusi, 18. Micky Paea.