Tyson Frizell now has six Test caps, but has admitted he never thought himself capable of getting one that is green and gold.
Speaking in Manchester after the Australian team arrived for the forthcoming Four Nations series, Frizell said he cherished his appearances for Wales, which was about as far as he thought his international rugby league career would go.
"You can't really describe it," he says of his Australia debut in the 26-6 win over New Zealand at nib Stadium in Perth.
"It's something you always dream of and I didn't think it was really achievable. It was awesome to do it in Perth alongside a lot of great players.
"Myself and my family were pretty proud."
An Illawarra junior with a Tongan mother and a Welsh father, Frizell wasn't so nervous about the occasion that he forgot about the Dragons, whom he first represented in 2011 at a Four Nations tournament. His good luck text to coach John Kear was read out to the team before it flogged Serbia 50-0 in Llanelli the same day.
Thanks to a change in international eligibility rules, Frizell no longer has to chose between the two. If he misses out on Australia, he can play for the Welsh without the formality of changing his country of election.
"He's a quality player, but also a really good kid," Kear said. "I am over the moon for him playing for Australia."
While other codes of football are seen as presenting athletes with more travel opportunities than league, Frizell is an old hand at journeying to the northern hemisphere.
"I've been here a few times now and I think most of the boys have been here once or twice, so it's not as if the place is unfamiliar," he said.
"The weather is actually pretty nice at the moment, I'm looking forward to it staying that way."
There's a wry smile. Unlike playing for Australia, that ambition really is unattainable.
