Best mates Ashton Sims and Ben Creagh will go from the idyllic surrounds of Fiji six months ago to the NRL battleground of Kogarah on Sunday.

They've shared a close friendship since they were lanky youngsters hooping it up together for the Illawarra Hawks under 12s.

These days, Creagh plays for St George-Illawarra, NSW and Australia, while Sims - a rookie with him at the Dragons in 2003 - is plying his trade as an impact forward with the in-form Cowboys after a stopover with the Brisbane Broncos.

Creagh was a groomsman when Sims and girlfriend Nicole tied the knot last October in Fiji.

But on Saturday, the friendship will be put aside as they do their best to put a big shoulder charge on each other to give their teammates a lift.

The lines of communication between the pair had been down this week, although Sims sent Creagh a text congratulating him on his selection in Australia's squad to play New Zealand at Skilled Park on Friday night.

"Benny Creagh was best man at my wedding so, like St George, he has been a big part of my life," said the 26-year-old back-rower.

"I hope he plays well but pulls up a bit stiff and sore from the Test on Friday night," smiled Sims who had adapted to his bench role extremely well.

Sims (194cm and 109kgs) arrived at the Dragons the same year as Creagh (190cm, 103kgs).

Sims made his debut against Penrith in round nine in 2003, while Creagh's first game was against the Warriors in round 22.

Heading home to play against his former NRL club and one of his best mates was not an issue for Sims who played for Gerringong Lions as a junior.

"I've already done the first game back home thing against the Dragons with Brisbane," he said.

"It's always a great thrill playing down there. I was born and bred down there."

With 10 Dragons' players backing up from City-Country and Test duty on Friday night, the Cowboys will fancy their chances of upsetting the ladder leaders, even though their co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott will also have to back-up.

But having spent a season under Wayne Bennett at the Broncos, Sims knows the master coach will have his players ready for the challenge.

"Even the players who come in if they are needed, Wayne will get the best out of them," said Sims.

We've said it a few times this year, but this is our biggest test, this is the ultimate test, down there on their home ground.

"They're on fire. They won 30-0 last week and we won't be taking anything for granted.

"If you can't get up against St George at St George, then you're in the wrong sport."

The Cowboys are looking forward to playing their first afternoon game in more than 600 days on Sunday and their first at Win Jubilee Oval in six years.

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