Centre Brent Tate admits it feels a little surreal to be back in familiar surroundings ahead of Australia's Four Nations rugby league test against the Kiwis on Saturday.
Tate, 28, has returned with the Kangaroos to Auckland, where he became a fan favourite during three seasons with the New Zealand Warriors, a stint that ended with the club's playoff defeat against Gold Coast in early September.
"It's a bit of a funny feeling, to be honest, coming back here," he said today at a sunny Eden Park.
"Obviously there's such a connection for me and my family here. It good to be back and to have some beautiful weather, and hopefully I get a game on Saturday night."
Tate, who will be in North Queensland colours next year, made his comeback to the test arena at the start of the Four Nations, getting a battering from the hard-hitting Papua New Guinea defence in Sydney.
But he survived to back up for the 34-14 defeat of England in Melbourne last Sunday, marking his 21st cap with one of the Kangaroos' six tries.
That result confirmed that defending champions Australia will face world champions New Zealand in the final in Brisbane on November 13.
Tate said any talk that the trans-Tasman clash at Eden Park, which would complete the tournament's round-robin phase, was a dead rubber was "rubbish".
"It's a test match and it's going to be a huge night," he said.
"Psychologically too, going into the final, you want to be playing some good footy."
Tate conceded that the Kangaroos hadn't been at their best in their two outings so far.
He said they could be encouraged by the fact that they were still able to pull off two comfortable wins without finding top gear.
"But for us to be any chance this weekend against the Kiwis, we're going to have to really pick up our performance," he said.
"It's going to be a difficult game and we'll be playing as well for spots in the final."
While he hadn't seen too much of the Kiwis, he agreed with team-mate Petero Civoniceva's view that the present New Zealand squad was probably the toughest the veteran prop had seen.
"They're confident, they're playing well and I'm sure they're thinking they can come out here and get us," Tate said.
"That's the challenge for us - to stand up and play some good footy."
The match will be preceded by the test between England and PNG, and the double-header will be the first two international fixtures to be staged at the revamped Eden Park, which will be the showpiece stadium for next year's rugby World Cup.
"Who would have thought opening night would be rugby league," Tate said.
"It's going to be a pretty historic night for the game in New Zealand."
