SYDNEY >> Twenty minutes after the final football practice ahead of today’s season opener, University of Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich was prepared for the 10-minute walk back to the hotel.

His journey is just starting.

Asked whether he was nervous about his first game as a head coach, Rolovich said, “Nope. Either way, it’ll be over in four quarters. You might as well enjoy it. … I’ll enjoy it. I promise you that.”

Rolovich has planned carefully — and creatively — for today’s game against California at Australia’s ANZ Stadium.

He has emphasized the importance of this trip. During the flight to Sydney, players and coaches were instructed to check the “business” box as their travel purpose on the incoming passenger card.

As the designated visiting team, the Rainbow Warriors are required to wear white jerseys. They decided to go all the way, also selecting white pants, white shoes and white helmets. On the back of each helmet is a “KMT” decal in tribute to the late Congressman K. Mark Takai.

Each player is required to attend study hall, be respectful to even the zoo animals and wipe their shoes after leaving the practice field and before entering the hotel lobby.

On Tuesday (Hawaii time) the Warriors were scheduled for their final full-pads practice in Australia. But it stormed, turning the grass field into a quagmire. Instead of postponing practice, the Warriors decided to get down and dirty.

“It was a miserable practice,” Rolovich said. “Execution was bad. But it was good to see them go through a scenario like this where they have to deal with some adversity. We’ll deal with whatever conditions we have to deal with and play 60 minutes together.”

California has embraced its home-team role. A few weeks ago it shipped the goal posts that will be used for the game.

The Golden Bears’ travel party includes a groundskeeper, who will make sure the grass is closely cropped. It is believed a field with short grass will be an advantage for the Bears’ quick players.

Marshawn Lynch, a retired All-Pro running back, accompanied the Bears. Lynch took a few practice reps earlier this week.

The Bears’ top six receivers completed their NCAA eligibility at the end of last season, and quarterback Jared Goff was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. But Davis Webb, a transfer from Texas Tech, has replaced Goff. Webb, who did not have to redshirt because he already earned a bachelor’s degree, was voted as a team captain shortly after joining the Bears this summer. Mel Kiper Jr., one of the top NFL Draft analysts, rated Webb as the No. 1 senior quarterback in the nation. The Bears also signed Demitris Robinson, who was widely regarded as the top wide receiver prospect this year.

“The Bears are trending up,” Rolovich said.

The Warriors are trying to emerge from the abyss of five consecutive losing seasons.

“They’re in a position where they haven’t had a lot of success, and a lot of them are hoping a new approach is going to lead to better results for them,” Rolovich said.

Rolovich, who was hired in November as Norm Chow’s successor, has implemented a new offense (a blend of run-and-shoot, read-option and run-pass-option elements), a new defense (switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 formation) and renewed enthusiasm.

Rolovich said he hopes the national-television audience will “enjoy what they see from our football team. Let the score be what it will. When they watch Hawaii, if they’re fans, that they’re proud of the way these guys play. And if they’re casual football fans, they’ll say, ‘Wow, that team really plays with passion and cares about each other and plays smart.’”

During practices the Warriors have worked on reacting to turnovers and penalties.

“I’m sure something bad is going to happen for us in this game,” Rolovich said. “We just have to have the character to stand together and regroup and play the next play. There’s no doubt (California is) a talented football team.”

Having grown up in the Bay Area, Rolovich is familiar with the Bears’ football history. He said relatives have played for California. He said his father attended the famed 1982 Stanford- California game in which the Bears used five lateral passes — and weaved their way through the Stanford band — to score the winning touchdown. The ticket stub hangs in Rolovich’s father’s house.

“It was good excitement growing up with Cal being that university across the bridge from us,” Rolovich said.