Money may not be the motivation behind Fiji's stunning Rugby League World Cup run - but it certainly weighed heavily on many of the players' minds.
Fiji management have revealed most players were trying to save as much of their World Cup daily allowance as possible to give
it to their cash-strapped families at home.
Because team management covered only breakfasts, players relied on "all you can eat" buffets during their cup campaign to save cash.
But their miserly ways appear over after Fiji reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time.
Fiji are guaranteed a A$300,000 ($349,000) pay cheque for booking Sunday's showdown with unbeaten champions Australia at Sydney - and national coach Joe Dakuitoga confirmed he wanted the money to go to his players.
It will be music to the ears of their Fijian village league players Ilisoni Vonomateiratu and Suguturaga Valekapa, who play for a pittance.
Their squad also boasts 14 park footballers and several NRL fringe players. Indeed, the team that beat Ireland 30-14 in the semifinal qualifier on the Gold Coast boasted just two players with international experience before the Cup started.
Now one of the game's paupers lines up against the cashed-up superstars.
But Fiji have stressed they have not been thinking about the potential pay cheque in Australia.
"Money was never an issue," Fijian captain and Newcastle flyer Wes Naiqama said.
"We all play because we're passionate about the game."
Fiji started the tournament at 500-1 outsiders, odds dramatically shortened to 40-1 by this week.
Few expect Fiji to overcome an Australian team that thrashed them 66-8 the last time they met in 2000.
But it has been made clear from the outset to Fiji that their World Cup campaign is about much more than simply winning games.
"We are a sport that always has been looked down on [by rugby in Fiji] - I think after this World Cup, rugby league will be the No 1 game in Fiji," Dakuitoga said after their 30-14 win. "All of Fiji are watching us."
- AAP
