Former Kangaroo and now Kiwi, Dane Gagai says you can't count out a historic world cup final from taking shape ahead of this weekend's semis.
Before hosts Australia Samoa fight for a final two spot in a rematch of 2022's final in Sydney on Sunday, New Zealand are tasked with getting over group C toppers Tonga in Newcastle on Saturday in the men's draw.
No longer true underdogs in the international arena, Gagai says counting their opponents and Samoa as tier two nations is understating outfits with "so many elite superstars".
"You can't look past anyone. I know in the past it's probably been...New Zealand, Australia and England (as top teams) ... but now you're literally taking it game by game," he said, also bringing a Fiji side which led Australia at patches two weeks ago into the conversation.
A Samoa and Tonga final would be the first time neither Australia, New Zealand or England (or Great Britain) featured in a world cup final.
The last time Australia missed out was the first world cup in 1954, where Great Britain were victors over hosts France.
When Tonga edged past Samoa 20-18 in a major spectacle in Sydney on Sunday night, the lineups were littered with not just NRL, but state of Origin talent.
The likes of Maroons young guns Robert Toia and Jojo Fifita joined Dally M winner Jason Taumalolo and NSW Blues Addin Fonua-Blake, Tyson Frizell and Haumole Olakau'atu were in red jumpers.
Samoa boast a similar pedigree of names like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Brian To'o, Stephen Crighton, Jarome Luai and Junior Paolo in their starting 13, with Spencer Leniu on the bench.
This week, Paulo, Samoa's skipper, said his side's best "is yet to come".
The Kiwis have to nail their preparations as they look to do something special against Tonga, Gagai said.
It's also a homecoming of sorts for the duel Indigenous and Māori All Star, previous world cup winner with Australia (2017) and recent debutant for New Zealand.
After a collective decade-plus with the Knights across two stints of his career, the veteran will join his original club in the Broncos for the 2027 season.
He said it's nice to be back, albeit in a hotel, put is looking forward to running out for what he's certain will be a packed house at McDonald Jones Arena.
Less than three weeks on from breaking his arm in the world cup opener against Australia, Knights teammate and superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga was named in the Kiwi's extended squad as his bid continues to prove fit for the semi final.
If he runs out, it would be just 22 days from the injury, with surgery done, suffered in his first game in the national jumper.
"One thing that's never in question is Kayln's toughness, and I don't think he gets enough credit or praise for it," Gagai said.
"I've got no doubt he'll do everything he can to make sure he can take that field. But it's just a case of whether he can tick those boxes, and he'll know whether he's capable of playing or not.
"He won't put himself before the team, but we'd obviously love to have him out there."
In the women's draw, New Zealand lined up against Samoa, with the Jillaroos continuing their chase of a fourth straight trophy against Fiji.
Jaime Chapman, fresh off an all-time record-equalling six tries against Wales at the weekend, has been named alsongisde fellow First Nations stars Tamika Upton, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Kernick, and Keilee Joseph in Jess Skinner's Australian side.
Dharug woman Quincy Dodd is on the extended bench.
Reece Walsh appears to have tightened his grip on the Kangaroos' no.1 jumper for the long term after retaining his spot in Kevin Walters' team to face Samoa.
Kotonia Staggs and Bradman Best pain the centres, with Reuben Cotter at 17.
Latrell Mitchell will be in the no.18 jumper after missing Australia's final pool game, as the sole change on the bench.
