A mouth-watering clash between NRL behemoths Viliame Kikau and Haumole Olakau'atu looms as critical when Manly and Canterbury's premiership hopes go on the line at Accor Stadium.
After two weeks having their forward pack monstered by rivals, the Bulldogs need a strong shift from dual premiership-winning second-rower Kikau on Sunday afternoon.
The Fijian international brings big-game experience and leadership essential for a Bulldogs side playing its first finals match since 2016, only days after the club was rocked by Josh Addo-Carr's positive roadside drug test.
Kikau's ferocious ball-running on the left is critical to Canterbury's usual plan of attacking wide, with the 29-year-old relishing the game's little flourishes - charge-downs, effort plays - like few other big men.
Enter Olakau'atu.
Kikau's opposite second-rower has been critical to the Sea Eagles' ascent back into the top eight this year, rewarded with his first two State of Origin appearances in the NSW series win.
Standing nearly two metres tall and tipping the scales at 113kg, he's one of few second-rowers who can match Kikau physically, and showed as much the last time the sides met as Manly ran out 12-point winners in round 26.
Ahead of their rematch in Sunday's elimination final at Accor Stadium, Kikau said he would be taking the pair's impending clash personally.
"I guess I have to," Kikau said.
"When you go out on the field you just want to be better than your opposite number, and he definitely was the better one last time.
"He's a very good player. A great player. I always look forward to playing against great back-rowers."
Sydney Roosters hitman Angus Crichton has won plaudits for his resurgent 2024 campaign, but for Olaka'atu it's clear who leads the NRL's second-row stakes.
"Kikau is the best back-rower right now in the game," he said.
"It's always a pleasure to go up against him. Being a premiership winner and international player, I look up to people like him.
"It's a challenge for me to step my game up and challenge myself, whether I am up to his level or his standards. It makes me hungrier, can't wait."
The losers of Sunday's clash have their grand final dream dashed, while the winners progress to a semi-final against the Sydney Roosters, set to be held at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.
Olakau'atu will draw confidence from Manly's record against top-eight sides this year, the Sea Eagles having beaten all seven rival finalists except Cronulla during the regular season.
"It shows we've got it in us to beat the top teams," he said ahead of Manly's first finals appearance in three seasons.
"It's definitely the best chance we've had with this group. We have more of a chance to do better this year."
