They've lined up at club football together for Penrith and they will do so again for their state on Wednesday, but the bond Michael Jennings and Josh Mansour share runs far deeper than football.
Mansour and Jennings, who will be partnered together on the left edge for the Blues in game one at ANZ Stadium, have included each other in their respective bridal parties.
The Penrith winger, who will get married at St Mary's Cathedral in October this year, was the No.5 groomsman at Jennings' wedding last year.
While he has reciprocated the honour, Mansour isn't quite sure just how far up the pecking order Jennings will be when he finalises his bridal party.
"I haven't numbered him yet. He numbered me fifth in his line," Mansour said.
"I don't know what I'm doing yet, it'll either be two or three. I didn't have to even tell him he was going to be in my bridal party, he already knew. But when he broke the news to me, he couldn't even do it.
"I was hanging out with him all day and then I get a call at night from his missus saying 'it'll be a huge honour if you'll be in Michael's line'. I was like 'are you kidding, I was with him all day, why didn't he tell me?'. It's going to be a pretty big wedding, he's more excited than I am."
When Mansour joined the Panthers from South Sydney to make his NRL debut in 2012, it was Jennings who went to the effort of making him feel at home in new surroundings.
While Jennings soon left the club in controversy to link with the Sydney Roosters, their friendship hasn't waivered.
"Me and 'Jenko' are best mates," Mansour said.
"It started at Penrith. I remember being a new kid on the block at Penrith and he took me under his wing. We just clicked as mates and it kicked off after that and ended up becoming best of mates.
"We're pretty much like brothers. He's welcomed me into his family. He's got five brothers and it's like I've been added as another brother.
"It's been awesome. I can't believe we're playing Origin together and maybe even on the same side. It's unbelievable and something I'm very proud of. He's such a great player and to be back playing with him again is something I will really cherish."
