The three Sharks involved in the Kangaroos side and Andrew Fifita who runs out for Tonga, will be looking to book a place in the competition decider when they play World Cup Semi Finals this weekend.
First up tonight are the Kangaroos, with Valentine Holmes, Wade Graham and 2018 Sharks recruit Josh Dugan, to take on competition giant killers Fiji at Suncorp Stadium, before Fifita and his Tongan teammates look to win their way through to a first-ever World Cup final when they play England on Saturday.
In the Friday night clash at Suncorp, Fiji face a monumental battle to get the better of an Australian team that has yet to concede a second-half point in their four World Cup matches in 2017.
As for the Sharks, Holmes was in sizzling form last weekend in his team’s quarter final demolition of Samoa, scoring a record five tries, Dugan again played strongly on the Kangaroos left hand side, while Graham injected his typical energy and enthusiasm when injected into the game late in the first half.
All three are again set to play crucial roles in coach Mal Meninga’s game plan later tonight.
The Kangaroos are unbackable favourites, however Fijian skipper Kevin Naiqama realises the task ahead for his team is a formidable one but is looking forward to the challenge.
"Everyone said it was mission impossible last week, and we defied the odds," Naiqama said.
"We know we have a job [to do] this week, playing against the best in the world. For us, last week was our grand final. But this week is our grand final for us as well. We know it presents a good opportunity for us to play the footy we know we can play, but also test ourselves against the best."
Representing Fiji will be former Sharks Junior Roqica, with the popular forward in strong form for the Bati throughout the World Cup.
Then when the dust has settled on semi-final number one, Tonga and England face off to see who will earn their place in the Final on December 2.
Tonga have been both the entertainers and the surprise packet of this World Cup and while heading into the match as underdogs, beating the Lions and creating more history for their Pacific Nation is foremost in their thinking.
The Tongans have been led by their strong running forwards, in particular Jason Taumololo, prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho and of course Fifita.
Tonga's King George Tupou VI will attend the match, the first time the head of Tongan royalty has attended a Mate Ma'a Tonga game since the 1995 World Cup.
Hooker Siliva Havili said the support had inspired his team during this 2017 tournament.
"It is a buzz seeing there is a Tongan flag everywhere around the country and it is trending at the moment, with the King and all those popular people that are Tongan around the world giving us a lot of motivation,” Havili said.
"It is something that we are doing for our little nation and I am sure we are inspiring our people back home."
Former Shark Chris Heighington, representing England, looks to have missed place on the Lions bench.
The Australia v Fiji match kicks off at Suncorp Stadium at 7.00pm local time (8.00pm Sydney), with Tonga and Fiji scheduled for 6.00pm (NZ time – 4.00pm Sydney) at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
Australia v Fiji
Brisbane, Friday 7pm (8pm AEDT)
Australia
1 Billy Slater
2 Dane Gagai
3 Will Chambers
4 Josh Dugan
5 Valentine Holmes
6 Michael Morgan
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Aaron Woods
9 Cameron Smith
10 David Klemmer
11 Boyd Cordner
12 Michael Gillett
13 Josh McGuire
14 Wade Graham
15 Jordan McLean
16 Reagan Cambell-Gillard
17 Tyson Frizell
18 Felise Kaufusi
19 Tom Tbrojevic
20 Josh Mansour
21 James Maloney
Fiji
1 Kevin Naiqama (c)
2 Suliasi Vunivalu
3 Taane Milne
4 Akuila Uate
5 Marcelo Montoya
6 Jarryd Hayne
7 Henry Raiwalui
8 Ashton Sims
9 Apisai Koroisau
10 Eloni Vunakece
11 Viliame Kikau
12 Brayden Wiliame
13 Tui Kamikamica
14 Joe Lovodua
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Junior Roqica
17 Ben Nakubuwai
18 James Storer
19 Salesi Faingaa
20 Sitiveni Moceidreke
21 Pio Sokobalavu
Tonga v England
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, Saturday 6pm (4pm AEDT)
Tonga
1 Will Hopoate
2 Daniel Tupou
3 Michael Jennings
4 Konrad Hurrell
5 David Fusitu'a
6 Tui Lolohea
7 Ata Hingano
8 Andrew Fifita
9 Siliva Havili
10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho
11 Manu Ma'u
12 Sika Manu (c)
13 Jason Taumalolo
14 Sione Katoa
15 Peni Terepo
16 Tevita Pangai Jnr
17 Ben Murdoch-Masila
18 Sam Moa
19 Manu Vatuvei
20 Joe Ofahengaue
21 Samisoni Langi
England
1 Gareth Widdop
2 Jermaine McGillvary
3 Kallum Watkins
4 John Bateman
5 Ryan Hall
6 Kevin Brown
7 Luke Gale
8 Chris Hill
9 Josh Hodgson
10 James Graham
11 Sam Burgess
12 Elliott Whitehead
13 Sean O'Loughlin (c)
14 Alex Walmsley
15 Tom Burgess
16 Ben Currie
17 James Roby
18 Jonny Lomax
19 Chris Heighington
20 Mark Percival
21 Scott Taylor
