Club teammates will become international rivals in today s Rugby World Cup qualifying match between Tonga and the Cook Islands.
It was only three weeks ago that Ikale Tahi lock Semisi Paea and Cook Islands centre Junior Raia were lining up alongside each other for Ngongotaha in the Bay of Plenty club competition.
Today both players will make their test match debut, but in different colours.
The 22 year old Paea was first called into the Tongan squad in the lead-up to their test against the All Blacks earlier this month and was surprised head coach Toutai Kefu even knew who he was.