By Adam Lucius

Nemani Nadolo will be playing in his first Rat Park local derby on Saturday – but he doesn't need to be told the significance or be given a history lesson on the fierce rivalry between the best of enemies.

"When I came back last week I looked at the draw and saw we had Souths then Warringah," the giant winger said.

"My eyes just lit up. The top team followed by the local rivals - it doesn’t get any better than that.

"I love playing in these big games and they don’t get much bigger than this one in club rugby.

"Let me at them."

Four places and 19 points separate the two teams on the table but those figures will be irrelevant come 3.10 Saturday afternoon.

"It wouldn't matter if they were last and Manly was second last – it's Manly versus Rats and both teams will always be up for it," Manly coach Phil Blake said.

"They're in survival mode. They have to win to stay in contact."

Point-scoring fullback Adam D'Arcy added: "You don’t need any extra motivation for this one. Everyone knows how important it is.

"We haven't won for a few years down there so we know how tough it will be.

"Our forwards will be the key. They have been great all year and have shown they can match it with anyone."

Nadolo comes in for the injured Luke Johnson in the only change to the starting line-up that took the field against Souths last week.

The smiling Fijian - or 'Green Mile' as his fast-growing fan club at Manly Oval refer to him -  appeared lost to the Marlins when he signed up with French outfit Bourgoin.

Confusion reigns as to whether Bourgoin have gone bust and can't afford Nadolo or whether they have been rescued and want him over there.

But for now he is fully committed to the Manly cause.        

"Just to be playing again for Manly is unbelievable," he said.

"Coming back and seeing where we stand on the ladder, I don’t want to go anywhere.

"I want to finish what I started with Manly.

"They've had faith in me and I’d like to repay that."