The Eels playmaker was told to urgently call his club team manager, who told him Josh Papalii had withdrawn from the Prime Minister's XIII team and that he was required to take his place.

He linked up with the team in Cairns on Wednesday night and flew to Port Moresby on Thursday in preparation for Saturday's annual clash with Papua New Guinea's national side, the Kumuls.

"I was resting up at home – catching up on some rest, got the call-up and was on the next flight up to Cairns to catch up with the boys," Norman said.

"I'm excited, it's a good little experience. I've heard some great stories of all the other boys that have played in previous years.

"It's a nice little reward at the end of the year there. I'd still want to be playing in the NRL, but unfortunately I'm not."

Norman was instrumental in Parramatta's late NRL surge this season, which netted a fourth-placed finish before Saturday's 24-16 loss to the in-form Cowboys at ANZ Stadium.

He struck up a dangerous halves combination with mid-season club-hopper Mitchell Moses, the pair helping the side to nine wins from 10 leading into the finals.

The 26-year-old is a strong believer in fate, which he feels played a major role in handing him a belated debut representative jersey.

Earlier this season he was in the frame for Queensland selection but tore his medial ligament in the lead-up to State Of Origin.

"That would've been nice as well. I believe everything happens for a reason and it wasn't meant to be," Norman said. "There's no point dwelling on that. I just move forward and kept concentrating on Parra and trying to play good football for them.

"The inclusion of Mitch Moses coming really helped me as well, it took a lot of pressure off me.

"When your team's firing, your footy comes pretty easy. I don't think I've changed too much, it helps when your team's going well and it helps you go a long way.

"You just grow in confidence, and confidence is a big thing."

Norman was on the same plane to Cairns as Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, who he hopes to impress on Saturday in a last-minute bid to enhance his World Cup claims.

"I caught the same flight as him, he didn't talk much football, which was good. We just had a yarn and it was good," Norman said. "He is a bit intimidating. He's very laid back and he's a good fella.

"I got a few plays on the bus today, got the play sheet, I'll have a look at that.

"That [the World Cup] would be awesome. I've just got to put my best foot forward, not thinking about that too much, but just have fun.

"That's the way I like to play my football. I like to have fun out there, that's the way it should be. There's heaps of new boys I've never played with in this team and it's good just to get to know them.

"Hopefully we go out there and have a good hitout."