The chance to pay tribute to his late aunt has added extra motivation to Terry Campese's bid to break a World Cup curse in time for an emotional homecoming on Friday night.
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Former Raiders skipper Campese is fighting to overcome a calf injury to play in Italy's World Cup clash against Fiji at Canberra Stadium.
The game is an opportunity for Campese to farewell the Canberra crowd after the abrupt end to his 11-season Raiders career in 2014.
But more importantly, it's a chance for Campese's family to celebrate the life of Corrina Campese, who died on the eve of the World Cup.
Her final words to Campese are fuelling the 33-year-old's determination to get back on the field in time for a fitting way to remember his aunt.
"The thing I keep reliving is that I got to say my final goodbyes to [Corrina] on the phone two days before she died," Campese said.
"The last thing she said to me was, 'Go Italy'. That's obviously at the back of my mind and I keep hearing those words.
"That's one of the reasons I want to go out there and represent the family. I got the chance to play against Tonga [in a World Cup warm-up game] and remember her, but it's not the same.
"Hopefully I get to run out there and play that last game at Canberra Stadium with all of the family there."
Campese and the Italian side arrived in Canberra on Monday and will face a near impossible mission in the capital if they want to advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Italy needs to beat the talented Fiji side by 50 points to leapfrog their rivals and book the country's first World Cup finals spot.
Campese is just focused on getting back on the field after being ruled out of the first two games against Ireland and the United States.
Campese hasn't played at Canberra Stadium since his final Raiders game three years ago, but he didn't get a hometown farewell because of contract uncertainty.
He has been targeting Italy's trip to Canberra for almost a year after helping the Azzurri qualify for the World Cup.
He qualifies to play for Italy via family heritage after his grandfather Antonio moved to Australia.
"If it wasn't for him moving over here at a young age, the family wouldn't be here," Campese said.
"Judging by the messages I've been getting ... pretty much every man and his dog are going to come out to the Canberra game.
"That's why it would be great to get out there for one last time and say goodbye to all of the fans who treated me so well in all of my years in Canberra.
"I never got the chance to thank them when I left. There are obviously a lot of reasons why I want to be out there, hopefully I can be 100 per cent fit and do everyone proud."
Campese moved back to Canberra this year after a stint in the UK Super League and led the Queanbeyan Blues to a Canberra Raiders Cup title, but Italy's World Cup campaign has always been at the back of his mind.
Italy lost their World Cup opener against Ireland, but bounced back to beat the US 36-12 on Sunday.
Campese played one World Cup game for Australia in 2008, but his tournament lasted just 16 minutes after an eye injury ruled him out for the remaining games.
"This is a massive game for Italy and to grow rugby league in Italy. Fiji are going to be tough, we know that. But you never say never and we'll throw everything at it."
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP
Friday: Italy v Fiji at Canberra Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
