It’s fair to say New Zealand debutant Dean Whare has fond memories of playing in Townsville.
Two years after announcing himself to the NRL with a hat-trick for Manly against North Queensland, Whare will return to Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday against the Kangaroos.
Whare, who will join Penrith next year after his best season for the Sea Eagles, is one of three new faces in the Kiwis team to face Tim Sheens’ men.
The 22-year-old is hoping for another memorable night at the home of the Cowboys, in the one-off Test.
“Townsville has been good to me, and it’s quite funny that I’m making my international debut there,” Whare told AAP on Tuesday.
“It’s a nice symmetry, and I’ll go into the game with great confidence.
“I’ve had my best season for Manly, played 21 games, which is the most of my career, and I can’t wait to get out there and play.”
Whare, who has filled in at wing and fullback this season, will line up in the centres for the Kiwis, the position he considers to be his strongest.
He’ll also have the added bonus of playing alongside former Manly teammate Kieran Foran, who’s been named at halfback, and admits a familiar face on the field will help calm his nerves.
“I’ve played with ‘Foz’ for three years now and we know each other’s games very well,” he said.
“I know a lot of the guys in the squad from my junior Kiwi days so fitting it has been quite easy for me.”
Whare was born in Rotorua, but moved to Sydney as a schoolboy and played for the Arncliffe Scots junior club in Rockdale, before being snapped up by St George Illawarra, who he left to join the Sea Eagles.
However, unlike James Tamou and recent Queensland convert Josh Papali’i, Whare said he could never imagine turning his back on the land of his birth and playing for Australia.
“I am a proud New Zealander,” he said.
“I played Junior Kiwis and I am very attached to my country. The NZRL are flying up my mum and step-dad from Sydney and I think they’re more excited than me.
“The rest of the family will be watching on TV in New Zealand. There would never be any chance of me playing for anyone else.”
Giant Canterbury front-rower Sam Kasiano and Melbourne’s Kevin Proctor will also make their debuts on Saturday following stellar seasons that culminated in the pair facing off in the grand final.
Proctor made the Kiwis’ Four Nations squad last year, but never got to play, but Melbourne teammate Ryan Hoffman, who’ll line up against him on Saturday, said his selection is fully deserved.
“He’s had a great year, won a premiership and now a place in the New Zealand team,” Hoffman told AAP.
“I am delighted for him. I’ve watched him since he was a young player coming through and was always impressed.
“His big problem was that he never believed in himself and that held him back. But he’s found that confidence now”