Illawarra will tap into a past era of dominance when they reignite old rivalry with Newcastle in Sunday's Steel City Challenge.
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The two rich rugby league nurseries were regularly on a collision course in the former CRL Championships format, in a period where Illawarra won four in a row and dominated the competition for more than a decade.
And while the times have changed in the representative scene - the championships now in an under-23 broader region format - there will still be plenty of fire when they put on the scarlet and white to again tackle their arch foes.
"It's been a while, but come Sunday I'll be really excited," coach Wade Forrester, a driving force behind Illawarra's success and has since been mentoring the under-23s, said.
"I've just got to pace myself at the moment for the next couple of days, I've already played 500 games in my head."
Illawarra will be driven by a contingent of Collegians players who are unbeaten in the NSW President's Cup competition, particularly with a forward pack led by Jarrod Thompson and Blake Phillips.
Forrester, who has dealt with a number of forced changes to the initial squad named, said the message had been simple to unite the team, chosen from the five clubs and behind one cause.
"Behind the scenes there might be a few issues, but one of the first things I talk about is the opportunity to represent the division," he said.
"You're pulling on a different colour jersey, you're not pulling on your club jersey, you leave your club jersey at the door.
"That's the type of thing we do mention at the start and players buy into it, which makes your job easy as a coach."
Wests prop Levi Pascoe and Thirroul hooker Ryan Fletcher will add vital punch to an impressive pack featuring Dogs stars Thompson and Phillips, who have played key representative roles in the past.
"[They bring] experience for these types of games, especially for the younger blokes," Forrester said of Thompson and Phillips.
"They'll talk about what's expected, what's needed and hopefully they'll lead from the front like they've always done."
Wests halfback Justin Rodrigues and Thirroul playmaker Tarje Whitford will join forces to steer the Illawarra charge.
The Steel City Challenge kicks off at 2.30pm at Collegians Sports Complex on Sunday, after the City-Country clash at 12.30pm.
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
