Playing against the All Blacks? Piece of cake. But the dreaded slope of Campese Field and the fierce Queanbeyan fans? That's the sort of World Cup test that will prepare Ryan Kotlewski for his Test hopes this year.
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Canadian prop Kotlewski is back in Canberra for the second time, linking with Royals to help them win a premiership in their 70th season and at the same time trying to force his way into World Cup contention.
If successful he will join Canada in pool B at the World Cup in Japan later this year, lining up against the two-time defending champions New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Namibia.
But it all starts with a roadtrip to Campese Field to play against the Queanbeyan Whites in the John I Dent Cup season opener after a chance phone call prompted a Canberra comeback.
Kotlewski, 29, was part of the Royals' premiership-winning side in 2015, which helped put him on Canada's radar and he made his Test debut the next year.
"I just want to get as much rugby exposure as possible," Kotlewski said.
"This sort of fell into my lap. [Royals] contacted me three or four weeks ago and said they needed a prop and asked if I knew of anyone. I knew of at least one - me.
"I was in camp with the Canadian team. They sent me a message on the Tuesday, by Thursday I'd spoken to my Canada coach and my wife, they said it was a good opportunity and I committed. Now I'm here and ready to go."
Kotlewski, who is also a qualified engineer, played soccer and gridiron as a junior in Canada before making the switch to rugby when he followed his brother into the sport.
The 117 kilogram tighthead has played Tests against Chile, Romania, Brazil and Russia and his World Cup dream is alive after Canada secured the 20th and last spot up for grabs for the tournament in Japan.
Kotlewski's links to Canberra started when he met Royals coach Wayne Southwell at his club in Calgary. The pair have stayed in contact and are hoping to team up for Royals' third title in five seasons.
"The club rugby in Canada is good, but it's not up to the same standard of here," Kotlewski said.
"There are plenty of games and coaching resources ... it was a no-brainer for me coming back here. I just want to enjoy the experience here and work hard to make myself better."
The Canberra premier division season will start this weekend, but sports ground closures around the capital will limit the round to just two games.
The Whites will host Royals at Campese Field because they are not subject to ACT government closures and the defending premiers the Tuggeranong Vikings will host the Gungahlin Eagles at their privately-owned venue.
The ground closures, which are enforced across Canberra for two weeks to prepare fields for winter sport, has caused chaos in prepartions with Royals sometimes training in the dark at Duntroon.
Royals and Tuggeranong have dominated the competition in recent years and both teams will be heavily favoured to be contenders again.
"It was good last year, but we haven't really spoken about that," said Vikings coach Nick Scrivener. "We'll try shed that skin, we've got a big target on our back but bring it on."
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND ONE
Saturday: Tuggeranong Vikings v Gungahlin Eagles at Viking Park, Queanbeyan Whites v Royals at Campese Field. Both games at 3.05pm.
