Nathan Peats has long been Mr Expendable. He left South Sydney because he couldn't find an opening with Issac Luke at the club, and was the highest-profile player squeezed out of Parramatta following the club's salary cap problems.
He played second fiddle at NSW camp for a brief period on Monday morning as he awaited news of whether Peter Wallace would pull through a groin injury and deny him his chance to make his Origin debut.
But finally, Peats has the spotlight all to himself. And it doesn't get much bigger than taking on the greatest hooker in the game's history in his own backyard, trying to turn the tide of Queensland dominance.
Peats has had to endure a turbulent start to his career, but the off contract Titans hooker believes it's all led him to this moment. It's as if he knows that if he hadn't left the Eels mid-way through 2016, he might not be donning the sky blue jersey at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
"Everything happens for a reason," Peats said.
"I believe I was playing all right footy there [at Parramatta] but I've always been in the loop the last couple of years but I've changed my style a bit since I've been at the Titans. I've changed a bit in attack. I'm kicking the ball a lot more and offering a bit more I think. At Parramatta I was that harder style player just trying to whack people and [give] early service.
"I'm still that player but I'm a lot more confident since I got up here. I don't know if that made a difference in me getting picked or not. Not to say I wasn't playing good footy at Parramatta or better footy. It feels like maybe I mightn't have made it if I didn't leave. Everything happens for a reason. It's funny how the world works."
It's been an emotional week for Peats, who was reduced to tears when addressing his teammates at a team gathering in Kingscliff on Tuesday.
"We were in a team meeting and everyone had to have their say on what it means to you ... I get a bit emotional at the best of times," Peats said.
"Origin means a hell of a lot to me. This is what I've been working hard for my whole career and putting my family through a lot of stuff, especially my partner. All the injuries and form, when I was at Souths being in and out of first grade, they've been by my side the whole time.
"People think footy players are invincible but without a good support system at home, I probably wouldn't be where I am today. I think that all got the best of me and got me a bit choked up because I know how much it means to me and I know how much it means to them too so I want to make them proud and I guess it got me."
Peats isn't one to shy away from confrontation. He is opinionated and isn't afraid to let people know his thoughts.
But he admits the cauldron of Origin, especially in his debut match, won't be an occasion he uses to antagonise the Maroons.
"I'll probably be a gasping for air so I won't be too chirpy," he said.
"It's my first game so I'll be focusing on what I have to do and not piping up to anyone because you pipe up to Cameron Smith and he'll make you pay. It's going to be a tough one. I'm preparing for the toughest game of my life."
