There has already been strong criticism of the concept from several teams, with concerns about player welfare and the toll taken by the travel, the game at altitude and the short turnaround before the following NRL round.
But the NZRL must be confident they can garner enough support to field a competitive team, as they can't afford another disappointing display in the wake of last year's World Cup disaster.
That will depend on the opinions of clubs but could also come down to personal player preferences. Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson was an enthusiastic supporter while prop Adam Blair was much more circumspect.
It's a journey into the unknown, but it's also an exciting prospect, especially if it works. For too long league - and especially the NRL - has been incredibly insular - but that needs to change.
The sport needs a global boost, and this test provides a chance for something different for the players, outside the relentless grind of the regular season.
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