Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad came to Canberra looking for an opportunity. He's taken one and then some.
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The 24-year-old has capped an amazing 12 months with a New Zealand call up and could make his Kiwis debut against Australia in Wollongong in a fortnight.
Nicoll-Klokstad was named in the Kiwis squad on Thursday night, along with Joe Tapine and Jordan Rapana, and now he could go head to head with Raiders teammate Josh Papalii.
The Raiders were "optimistic" Papalii (chest) would be fit to play for the Kangaroos, with the inspirational prop rated a 50-50 chance.
Nicoll-Klokstad has also been brought into the Kiwis squad for the World Cup nines, which will be played at Parramatta Stadium next Friday and Saturday, to replace Rapana.
The original plan was for Nicoll-Klokstad to take next week off and rest up for the Test matches.
This time last year he was stuck behind New Zealand Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and didn't play all season.
But he got called across the Ditch and made the Raiders No.1 jersey his own.
He earned himself a contract extension, helped the Green Machine to their first grand final in 25 years and now is on the verge of making his New Zealand debut.
Nicoll-Klokstad never thought he'd come this far in such a short time.
"Naa, never man. I came over here for an opportunity and an opportunity's turned into a three-year extension," he said.
"I was eight minutes off being a premiership player. For it to lead into me possibly getting a Kiwis debut - it's crazy."
Nicoll-Klokstad was originally unsure whether he should accept the Kiwis call-up - he wanted to help the Cook Islands, who he played one Test for, get to the World Cup.
But a chat with Cook Islands coach Tony Iro put him at ease.
"It'll be a dream come true and all of that sort of stuff," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"I was quite torn in the beginning because I said I wanted to represent the Cook Islands and get them to the World Cup.
"But I spoke to the Cook Islands coach and everything he said was pointed towards the Kiwis and it being a good opportunity to further my career.
"If the opportunity to go back to the Cook Islands arose they were going to welcome me back with open arms."
Nicoll-Klokstad was unsure where he would fit into the Kiwis side, but he can cover several positions.
He played the whole season at fullback for the Raiders, but could also slot onto the wing or centre - where he played his seven NRL games for the Warriors before he moved to Canberra.
"Not too sure. There's obviously a bit of speculation with Roger and there's a few outside backs that are in doubt as well," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"I'll play anywhere to play for them. I'll just have to see how it goes."
Kiwis squad: Leeson Ah-Mau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenneath Bromwich, Kieran Foran, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Corey Harawira-Naera, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Shaun Johnson, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Benji Marshall, Kan Maumalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Brandon Smith, Joe Tapine, Zane Tetevano, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.