The NSW Country Cockatoos will play the Melbourne Axemen at 5pm, following the Gropers first grade clash with Wanderers.

NSW Country Rugby Union executive officer Terry Woodward said it was high time the pinnacle of NSW Country rugby union returned to the Hunter.

"We haven't had a Cockatoos game in the Hunter zone for five or six years now," he said.

"The last one was against the NSW Subbies team in Maitland."

And how did Strong Oval secure host rights over traditional big-game venues in Newcastle?

Woodward said its location was hard to go past.

"It was a convenient option for the Melbourne teams," he said.

"They can fly into Newcastle Airport and drive straight up to the Bay.

"Rugby has been struggling in the Bay recently and we have tried to assist the club and the zone by bringing the big game here."

The Cockatoos are unbeaten after a 16-13 win over an ACT representative side at Canberra Stadium on May 1 and a less convincing 17-11 victory against the NSW Subbies at the Sydney Football Stadium two weeks later.

World Cup-winning coach Rod Macqueen is rumoured to be attending the match on Saturday.

The architect of Australia's 1999 Cup success has been appointed as head coach of the Melbourne Rebels Super rugby franchise, taking the field in 2011, and could be on the look-out for Victorian-based talent.

The Gropers are organising the day and have enthusiastically dubbed the event Rugby in Paradise.