Amelia Kuk's convoluted journey into a Jillaroos jumper will culminate with a dream debut against her native Papua New Guinea in two weeks as a curtain raiser to the annual Prime Minister's XIII fixture.
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Her tale traverses several countries, a one-time Olympics dream and a stint in rugby union before she finally landed in the 13-a-side game, taking less than a year to force her way into the national team.
Kuk grew up in Mount Hagen in Papua New Guinea's Western Highlands, and her father's career as a miner took them to Mali in west Africa for a couple of years when she was barely a teenager.
In 2008 they relocated to Western Australia's Pilbara region before finally settling in Brisbane. It was here Kuk excelled at the rugby codes.
She started out representing PNG in Rugby Sevens for two years, hopeful of earning a spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but the nation was unable to make it out of their Pacific qualifiers.
So she switched to the 15-a-side game, eyeing off the Women's Rugby World Cup which was played in August but there was a problem. PNG hadn't qualified and she was ineligible to play for Australia.
"With the rugby rules and regulations, once you put on a jersey for another country you have to sit out a certain amount of time before you're eligible for another," Kuk said.
"I wanted to play something different because I knew I would be stuck going nowhere in three years just playing club footy.
"I wanted to chase a different dream so I decided to give league a go. It all happened pretty quick, I didn't expect to make it all the way to the Jillaroos in my first year of rugby league."
Kuk hadn't represented PNG at rugby league before, which made her eligible to play for Australia, not only in Port Moresby later this month but at the World Cup in November.
She rose rapidly through the ranks as a versatile backline player, and wore the green and gold jersey for the first time in February this year at the Auckland Nines.
"I felt like girls were running straight at the player [in league] whereas in union we're taught to run into space," Kuk said.
"I was using my footwork near the line and that helped me break through the advantage line and get a better roll on with the league game when I came across.
"It's so physical in league because I think it's just more one-on-one tackling and everyone's just running straight into each other.
"In union you have a little more space. People run into the space and you're doing half tackles whereas in league there's a lot more dominant tackles and you're just one on one with your opponent."
Kuk was expecting a memorable debut in her rugby league-mad home country.
"Our national sport is rugby league and they are so passionate, especially when the Hunters play the crowd that gets there every game," Kuk said.
"They really get behind their boys in the country, and they're so passionate about their league over there.
"It's really good to see the women come through now, playing in that Prime Minister's Cup because they're making history. For them to play against the Jillaroos and for the Jillaroos to play against the PNG women's side in their home ground, it'll be a big moment for the girls.
"I'm sure the fans will go crazy and get behind the team and we'll be in for a treat.
"I'm representing both which is a privilege to be in this position, being from Papua New Guinea, being born there but I live in Australia. Being able to put that green and gold jersey by playing against PNG, I feel so honoured."
Jillaroos squad to face PNG on September 23
Kezie Apps, NSW
Chelsea Baker, QLD
Maddison Bennett, WA
Annette Brander, QLD
Ali Brigginshaw, QLD
Vanessa Foliaki, NSW
Steph Hancock, QLD
Jenni-Sue Hoepper, QLD
Kody House, QLD
Amelia Kuk, QLD
Renae Kunst, QLD
Lucy Lockhart, ADF
Corban McGregor, NSW
Talesha Quinn, NSW
Jessica Sergis, NSW
Ruan Sims (C), NSW
Zahara Temara, QLD
Sarah Walker, QLD
Elianna Walton, NSW
Med Ward, NT
