Speculation that a Pacific team is preparing a bid to become the NRL's 20th club, possibly playing home games in Hawaii, has emerged before Tonga's World Cup match against Samoa.
Tonga Warriors prop Demitric Vaimauga backed the idea, especially if NRL boss Peter V'landys offered tax-free incentives like those associated with the PNG Chiefs.
"That's the first I've heard of it, but playing in Hawaii sounds good to me," Vaimauga said.
"Tax free? Sign me up." Vaimauga added.
Hundreds of flag-waving supporters attended Tonga's open training session at Wentworth Park on Tuesday.
The teams meet Sunday night at Commbank Stadium in Sydney, in a match Vaimauga said was bigger than a World Cup final for him.
"Bigger than a final? For me personally it is."
The derby offers Tonga a chance to respond to Samoa's 34-6 win over them at last year's Pacific Championships.
Vaimauga made his Tonga debut during that campaign and said the result was not what he had hoped for.
"But, yeah, we're looking to change that this year."
Both sides are unbeaten after two matches, and both can still reach the semi-finals under the tournament's complicated format.
Tongan enforcer Tyson Frizell likened the contest to a Pasifika-style State of Origin and stressed its importance to supporters.
"For the fans and the people, obviously it's a game that you definitely want to win," Frizell said.
He said players choosing Tonga and Samoa over larger nations had fuelled the rivalry, while adding, "But it's all love at the end of the day and it's really exciting for the people and their people as well."