MEET the official rugby league Test team staying in a $27-a-night Sydney hostel. There are no five-star hotels, no lavish black-tie functions, no million-dollar contacts.

The Serbian Test side arrived in Sydney on Thursday on a budget tour, their passion for rugby league far outweighing the meagre money they earn.

Eight of the squad live in Serbia, most earning about $100 a week through security jobs. Others are students.

Unlike our NSW State of Origin stars, who set up camp inside the luxurious Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, this team of battlers are bunkered down in the cheap VLA Hostel in Surry Hills.

And the Australian-based players have been heading around Sydney, cap in hand, asking Serbian restaurants whether they could offer up a free meal for the tourists.

Members of the Serbian team at the VLA Hostel in Surry Hills. Picture: Ross Schultz Source: News Corp Australia

“There is no five-star accommodation here. We’ve got guys bunking in 12-room dorms and six-room dorms,” said Australian-based Serbian forward Ilija Radan.

“It’s not the best of conditions but it is a different country for the boys and they are all here to learn. It will be a great experience for everyone.”

The hostel claims to be close to the city and with clean rooms however one online review stated “plumbing needs repair. Inadequate fridge storage. Internet inadequate. Building needs some investment. Kitchen facilities and equipment inadequate — not enough cups, plates, clean tea towels. Great staff. Excellent location.”

Serbia trained yesterday at Prince Alfred Park, opposite their hostel. There were no line markings or goalposts.

Serbian rugby league team training at Prince Alfred Park. Picture: Ross Schultz Source: News Corp Australia

But this hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm for their first official outing in today’s Cabramatta Nines before a fully sanctioned Test match against The Philippines on Friday at New Era Stadium, Cabramatta.

Serbia will use this tour as a springboard to World Cup qualification matches in October.

This is the first-ever tour of Australia by Serbia, the 2015 European champions ahead of Russia, Italy and Ukraine.

Serbian-based player, Stefan Nedeljkovic, was just excited to be playing rugby league in Australia.

“It’s not about accommodation, it’s about playing good football,” said Nedeljkovic. “We just go there (to the hostel) to sleep, that’s all.

“I can’t wait to play here in Australia. Rugby league is growing really fast in Serbia. We are making good progress.”