Already, it seems the event won’t be letting anybody down. And we’re all the richer for it, with the 2017 event’s opening weekend proving a solid demonstration of cultural pride which is only just warming up and which promises to intensify over the coming month.

Someone who knows all about international representation is Petero Civoniceva – a man born in Fiji and raised in the Brisbane suburb of Redcliffe, who he represented with pride on the footy field either side of a gloried NRL career with the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers, a Test career for the Kangaroos and Fiji, and years of State of Origin service for Queensland.

Civoniceva’s Fiji, especially, has really turned it up in the culture stakes, with the nation’s representative players impressing all with their booming pre-match hymn performances at the weekend. Likewise, the Kiwis and Samoans again made it look like the footy was the play thing, after another epic pre-match cultural challenge featuring the ever-popular Haka up against Samoa’s Siva Tau.

“Cultural pride is such a huge part of this World Cup,” Civoniceva, the Fiji squad media manager and 50-Test veteran with Australia and Fiji shares following Bati’s destruction of the USA in its opening pool game.

Tonga performs the Sipi Tau at Cairns. (Photo by Getty Images)

“You look across the board. Again, it’s about that pride and honour in representing your peoples’ country. I also think it’s such a great learning experience for players who don’t often get that opportunity to learn and express their pride in their culture. For myself, being part of the Fijian team this year, it’s something that I’ve noticed the boys really value and really take ownership of. That sets the tone and pride in cultural identity. It’s a wonderful celebration that this competition certainly exposes.”

As Civoniceva explains, there are goals to kick during this tournament which are far more important than sideline conversions; ones related to spreading the word and taking the game to new audiences. “That’s the most enjoyable aspect, especially for the players. Being a staff member this time around, I definitely see the enjoyment factor for the players first-hand.