But that trek into foreign territory is amplified in the new CWRU second tier, essentially a whole new competition.

With six teams, two of which head into the league with premiership trophies under their belts following successful 2017 seasons, what we can expect from the new tier two – which will earn an official name by season kick-off – is truly the great unknown of 2018.

Many are tipping the studdents to come out on top in the new premiership.

But that hasn’t stopped CSU coach Scott Hatch from declaring the Rams as the side to beat in the six-team title race. 

Mind games in January – should make for an epic opening to the new format.

GrainCorp Cup champions Blayney, the reigning south premiers, up against Narromine, the undisputed kings in the north.

We’ve been calling for a Super Bowl like showdown between that competition’s champions for years. Now, although by default, we’ve got it. Should be a ripper.

This is as close to a derby as the tier two competition is going to get.

While both have achieved success in their respective stints in the GrainCorp Cup, whenever both were in the top tier, it was invariably Narromine running out big winners over the Dubbo club.

Expect the Rhinos to push the might of Narromine. Could be a real highlight of the new competition.

In two games last season, these sides dished up what you’d normally deem unthinkable.

Parkes won the first game 95-14, while Mudgee then trumped the Boars in round two 17-13 – it’s an 85 point swing in a single season. Unbelievable.

Literally anything could happen between these two clubs in 2018, and by the time round 13 rolls around, it probably already has.

If going to Cale Oval just for the chicken pies isn’t a good enough excuse to get to Narromine - which it is, the pies are phenomenal - then this final round fixture will be. Early tip? This clash to decide the minor premiership in the tier two.