Knights winger Akuila Uate is looking forward to paying back his Newcastle mentors and supporters when he makes his international debut for Australia in the one-off Test match against New Zealand at Ausgrid Stadium on Sunday.
When the 24-year-old Fijian-born flyer arrived at the Knights in 2008 he was described by Andrew Johns as one of the most gifted athletes he had ever seen with pace to burn and plenty of raw power.
But it has taken a dedicated coaching staff and some mentoring from team-mates such as Adam MacDougall for Uate to realise his potential and become one of the most devastating wingers in the game.
"I really want to say thanks to my family and my team-mates from Newcastle for helping me get to learn about football," Uate told Sportal.
"Stoney (Knights coach Rick Stone) and especially Craig Sandercock, the Knights assistant coach have helped me a lot."
"They have helped me work on my positional play with videos and trying to be consistent every week. And it has all paid off now. Thanks to them for their help."
"To wear this Australian jersey this weekend it's all for them and I am really excited."
"Thanks to everyone who has helped me come to this stage and to be part of this Australian side it is amazing."
Uate has always been a fan favourite at the Newcastle club and while the expected near-capacity crowd will be cheering for the Kangaroos the biggest roar of the day will most likely be reserved for the barnstorming wingman.
"The fans have always been there for me in Newcastle too and for me to get out there in front of them this Sunday is going to be really exciting," Uate said.
"I am hoping it is a big crowd and I am hoping I can play a good game and maybe get a couple of tries."
Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater said he has enjoyed getting to know Uate while in Kangaroos camp and is looking forward to being in the same side as the big winger instead of playing against him.
"He is a very dangerous player - we (Melbourne) played him a couple of games ago and he was one guy we had to really focus on with our defence, so I am really looking forward to playing alongside him," Slater said.
"He is a damaging runner and can create some space and I am looking forward to feeding him the ball on those kick returns and getting a few runs of his play-the-balls."
"He is a good lad. He is quite comical at times, you don't get too many words out of him in the media but obviously getting to know him he is a great fella and he is good to have around camp."
Sunday's Test and Four Nations tour caps a stellar year for Uate after making his State of Origin debut as well as picking up his second successive Dally M Winger of the Year award.
"It is a dream come true this year," Uate said. "I have come a long way and I am really exicited to be playing for Australia. I can't wait to get out there on Sunday."