Alan Tongue admits there were times when he wondered if he would ever get a chance to shine on the representative stage.
The 27-year-old Canberra Raiders skipper need wonder no more.
Tongue is set to be named at lock in coach Laurie Daley's Country Origin team tomorrow afternoon, joining Raiders teammate Terry Campese in the outfit to take on City in Friday's annual NSW State of Origin trial.
Fellow Raider Joel Monaghan is also likely to feature for Country, unless he can force his way into the Australian team with a huge performance against Penrith tonight.
Despite the fact the Raiders have won just two of their opening seven games, they are set to have five players featuring in the representative season.
Back-rower Bronson Harrison is almost certain today to retain his spot in New Zealand's team for next Friday's Anzac Test, while prop David Shillington is already in an extended 25-man Queensland State of Origin squad.
Monaghan is still an outside chance to retain his spot on the Kangaroos wing when Australian coach Tim Sheen today names his team for the Anzac Test.
But St George Illawarra's Darius Boyd is the hot tip to join what would be an all-Queensland backline.
If that happens chairman of selectors Jock Colley said Monaghan would definitely find his way into the Country team for the second year running.
''Monaghan, if he doesn't make the Australian side, will be a definite starter and Campese is all-but a good thing,'' Colley said.
''Campese's nearly the form five-eighth and if [City] pick John Sutton I guess the clash would nearly be for the No6 NSW jumper.
''Laurie and myself are also both very keen on putting Tongue in the side, he missed out a couple of years ago when he was 18th man and his form has been outstanding.''
Serving as 18th man in 2006 was the closest Tongue has come to a representative berth, apart from his appearance for Mal Meninga's Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea at the end of last season.
He played alongside both Monaghan and Campese in that game and the three could all be pulling on sky blue jerseys next month if they impress NSW selector Daley enough on Friday.
Colley said he and Daley were huge fans of Tongue, who has frequently been overlooked for representative sides because of his small stature.
''Laurie is a NSW selector so he'd have to be a bit of an outside chance,'' he said. ''I'd think he'd particularly be looked at for a bench spot. He can play hooker, he can play lock, he can play halfback at a pinch.''
Tongue remains focused on tonight's clash with the Panthers and is keeping representative thoughts at the back of his mind.
But he hasn't been able to completely ignore the hype, following his inclusion in NSW's extended 40-man squad last week and the constant murmurs he will finally get to play for Country.
''I don't set out at the start of the season and say 'I want to make this team or that','' Tongue said. ''But it obviously it would be a great honour.
''I still think I've got plenty of footy left in me, but when you're getting towards the back end of your career you don't know when these opportunities might pass you by.
''It's great to hopefully get a chance at it again.''
''Being 18th man a couple of years ago was a great experience, but I didn't get to play in the game.''
NSW coach Craig Bellamy spoke glowingly of Tongue this week, in another indication he is getting closer to landing that elusive Origin jersey.
''I would have no doubt he would do a really good job at Origin level,'' Bellamy said.
While Monaghan's chances of retaining his spot in the Australian side appear slim, Harrison is all-but assured of a berth for New Zealand, after helping the Kiwis to a World Cup victory last year.
Like Tongue, Harrison is hesitant to look beyond tonight's game. But he admits the prospect of pulling on the New Zealand jersey for the first time since last year's historic World Cup victory is exciting.
''You always want to play for your country and I'm no exception to that,'' Harrison said.
Raiders coach David Furner said he wasn't surprised that so many of his players were set to play representative football this year, despite his team's poor win-loss record.
''The teams that are winning, obviously the selectors would have a look at the players that are playing well in those teams,'' Furner said.
''But I think as a team we have been going well.''
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