Grand final hero Reece Walsh linked up with his new Kangaroos teammates minus his premiership run but amid expectations he'll be the new starting fullback against England, even getting the endorsement of fellow star Nathan Cleary.
Walsh declared that, at 23, he's determined to get better and the historic tour of England could be a new launching pad for him.
The sporting world is clamouring for his services with rugby league coaching legend Sir Graham Lowe declaring he should get $5m to reinvigorate New Zealand's All Blacks.
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It's the farthest thing from the Clive Churchill medallist's mind, however, with his sights set firmly on the Kangaroos No.1 jersey which he needs to take from incumbent fullback, Dylan Edwards.
But it's going to happen according to Edwards' Penrith captain, Cleary, who faces a fight for his own number seven jersey with calls for Mitch Moses to take the halfback spot.
"Reece is the form player in the competition., It will be difficult (to hold him out)," Cleary said as he too arrived at the team hotel before the Kangaroos fly to England on Wednesday morning.
"One thing about Dyl, he'll do what's best for the team."
As for his own fight, with four playmakers included in coach Kevin Walters' squad, Cleary said competition was good given the significance of the series, and the need for everyone to be at their best.
"I think it's awesome," he said.
"I'm really looking forward to rubbing shoulders with those guys, learning off each other and ultimately it will make us all better."
Cleary has been usurped as the hottest player in the game by Walsh after one of the most scintillating grand final displays ever as he carried the Broncos to a premiership.
But he was equally excited about getting in to Kangaroos camp, linking up with former Broncos coach Walters, and finally wearing an Australian jersey.
"You get to play for your country - it's one of the biggest things you can do in the game. I gave my family a hug before I left and you could see how proud they were and how much it meant," Walsh said.
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"To be able to do this, with the world class players in the team, I'm just grateful to be in camp and I can't wait to soak it all up. I feel really good to be in camp and obviously meeting all the boys and excited to see Kev. To play under Kev again. I'm so excited.
"Of course you want to be in the team, wherever I am. I obviously have a lot to learn and I will learn off a lot of these boys."
But Walsh's luggage won't include his diamond-encrusted premiership ring, despite feeling "left out" the last time he didn't wear it.
"Nah, I left it at home. I forgot to bring it to the (Broncos) award's night and all the boys had it on so I felt left out," he said.
The Kangaroos will play three matches against England, starting at Wembley on October 25.
This year's three-Test series with be the first rugby league Ashes in 22 years.