You won't see Beau Scott's name as part of the Kangaroos debutants' list but the Australian back-rower is feeling like a rookie again as he ends his Text exile.
Scott will play his first Test match on Saturday night since his one-off appearance against Wales in 2011. While the NRL veteran is far from a "rookie" he wants to prove himself in the Test arena.
"It was a long time ago," Scott said. "It was another country. To be in my own backyard, my uncle and my dad will be up here watching me play this one. That adds to the excitement.
"The last time I was a late inclusion in the squad because of withdrawals. I really feel like I'm part of the squad this year and starting in the first game I can't wait. I'm excited.
"I didn't think I wouldn't get the opportunity [to play again] if I got back on the field and played the season injury-free. You never know what the opportunities are going to arise. I had a good year at club level and very excited to get the NSW win. The result of me being here is on the back of that."
Australia will feature an inexperienced side with five debutants when they play New Zealand. Scott's roommate Josh Mansour will play his first Test as will Dylan Walker, Aaron Woods, Aidan Guerra and Daniel Tupou.
The NSW back-row combination of Scott, Ryan Hoffman and Greg Bird have been rewarded with Test selection having led the Blues to an historic series win against Queensland.
"I had no expectations at the start of the week," Scott said. "I was just excited to be here and have the chance to play for my country again. When [coach Tim Sheens] named the team early in the week I was over the moon. There's a job to be done now.
"I get around and try and mingle with as many people as I can. On the field it's about building combinations with the players who play inside and out of you. It's a learning curve both ways.
"We're going to have to muscle up and get on with the job."
At 30, Scott celebrated his career best form by signing a contract extension with the Knights until the end of 2017. He played 20 club games for the first time since 2011 – when he earned his last Test cap.
"Injury-free has played a bit part in it," Scott said of his good form. "I'm not 100 per cent sure [why]. I wish I knew I would've done it earlier in my career. I'm not sure if the year we've had at Newcastle has anything to do with it. It was a year to be forgotten for the club and fans on and off the field."
