Super League champions St Helens have tuned up for next week's World Club Challenge against Penrith by beating St George Illawarra in an NRL trial game.
They showed flashes of brilliance in Saturday's 30-18 win that will encourage them they can take it to the NRL premiers next weekend, highlighted by a stunning display from winger Tommy Makinson.
The result was not the start to 2023 the Dragons were after, having been expected by many to prove the NRL's superiority despite finishing 10th in the last campaign.
St Helens captain James Roby admitted his side would need to find an extra gear to match the powerhouse Panthers next Saturday.
"That's the preparation we need, we know next week is going to be another level," he told Fox Sports.
"It's a huge occasion, and all our middles ... they need to get that contact in.
"It's a long way to travel over here and it was our first hit-out, first time against NRL opposition ... the game was great for us.
"Australia doesn't get to see St Helens play week in, week out. We know what we're about and we want to show that."
The Panthers will need to be wary of Makinson. The winger looked a class above in scoring a try, assisting another and coming up with 152 metres of dashing runs the Dragons defenders struggled to cover.
St Helens had all 17 of their players from last year's grand final and started at a blistering pace, scoring two tries in the first 10 minutes.
Halfback Lewis Dodd scored the opener, before Jack Welsby crossed minutes later after a brilliant flick from Makinson.
St George went with their first-choice back five to start the contest while Moses Mbye played at No.7.
They are looking for a round-one halves partner for Ben Hunt, with emerging five-eighth Talatau Amone stood down over an alleged hammer attack.
Jayden Sullivan, the leading No.6 option in Amone's absence, is battling a hamstring injury that has him racing against the clock to be ready for the season-opener.
"(There's a) few things for us to work on, we've had a few errors there and we didn't execute what we wanted to but it was a good trial, we ironed out a few creases," Mbye said.
"We've got a few dramas in the halves at the minute. I've played there before ... I was brought to this club for that role, to cover a few positions.
"They were a really good outfit ... they'll struggle against the Penrith boys over here though."
Forward trio Jacob Liddle, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Nick Lui-Toso all had their first runs for the Dragons after signing in the off-season.
Young fullback Treigh Stewart, currently on a train-and-trial deal with the Dragons, turned in an eye-catching display with five tackle busts and 95m to complement a stunning first-half try.
