While international superstars fight for bragging rights at the Rugby League World Cup, a group of masters players will be doing the same in Rotorua.
From November 21-23, 32 teams will compete in the 24th annual Masters of Rugby League Tournament at Puketawhero Park.
The attitude of those who attend the tournament is summed up by a banner across the top of the organisation's website which reads: "We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing."
Masters of Rugby League NZ chairman Phil Campbell said this year, for the first time, there would be a women's division comprising two teams.
The various men's grades will include teams from Great Britain, Tonga and Cook Islands, as well as a New Zealand Army team.
"The tournament alternates between Australia and New Zealand each year and it has been held in Rotorua twice before. We had it at the Rotorua International Stadium 20 years ago and we played here at Puketawhero in 2010.
"I personally believe Rotorua is the perfect place for, not only rugby league tournaments, but any sports tournament. The majority of our teams are in the North Island and the grounds at Puketawhero are great. I've been involved with rugby league for a long time and it's good to see how [Puketawhero] has progressed over the years, it's a fantastic venue," Campbell said.
He said the tournament was a social but competitive occasion with some "great skills" on display.
"Most of these players played senior football and the ball skills have never left. We've also got a lot of players who have never played rugby league before, they come along.
"We normally run the tournament in September, but we made it November this year to coincide with the World Cup."
Over the three days there will be 49 games played, as well as an international game between New Zealand - with players selected from the tournament - and Great Britain.
Campbell said there were clubs in places such as Ponsonby in Auckland that had sent a team every year since the tournament began and included one player who had been attending for 21 years.
There are no official winners at the tournament, nobody keeps score, it is all about getting out on the field and taking part.
"Afterwards when they're having a beer they'll say, 'I scored five tries and we won.' Some take it a bit seriously and some don't. Some try and play like they're 20 years old still."
Draws for the tournament can be found at www.mastersofrugbyleague.co.nz.