Felise Kaufusi was meant to spend the weekend relaxing in Daylesford, instead he finds himself in the Queensland camp ahead of Game Three on Wednesday night.
Kaufusi was called into the Maroons squad as 18th man with Nate Myles racing the clock to be fit for Game Three.
Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Roosters, Saturday 23 July, 7:30pm.
If the Manly prop fails his fitness test Kaufusi will be ready to take his place.
The young Storm forward admits it is a situation he did not expect to find himself in.
“Definitely not to be honest. I was definitely overwhelmed to get the call up but very excited at the same time,” Kaufusi said.
“We had the bye week at Storm, I had the feet up and fortunately I got the call up.
“I grew up in Bundaberg watching State of Origin and watching Darryn Lockyer. It would be a childhood dream maybe one day, you never know, it would be great.
“There’s that one percent chance that if something does happen, you’ve got to train as if you were going to play.”
Kaufusi joined Storm teammates Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk in the Queensland camp.
Having two veterans and familiar faces to welcome him into the successful Maroons set up has certainly been a big help for the 24-year-old.
“If you can have them on your side, I think it helps in a big way,” Kaufusi said.
“Having some familiar faces around like Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk makes it a bit easier to coming into camp. Playing alongside them and training alongside them has been awesome.”
Queensland are unlikely to make a call on Myles until just before kick-off on Wednesday night.
