Just a few days out from heading in to All Stars camp, Roosters representative Shaun Kenny-Dowall says he is pumped and ready to give his all at Suncorp Stadium in the opening game on the rugby league calendar.
After a series of circumstances involving the arrival of Michael Jennings and the need for a replacement centre in the All-Stars side, Kenny-Dowall was given the nod at the expense of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Lucky for the NRL, Kenny-Dowall is more than worthy of All-Star status, having already taken part in the fixture in its debut outing.
"I was completely shocked when I found out I was playing, no one had told me anything and when I rocked up to Roosters HQ one day the boys told me I was playing."
"Once I knew I definitely had mixed emotions but I was over the moon and extremely excited to take part again."
Whilst the game itself might not be worth two competitions points, what the game represents and the fact that it contains the best players in the league means the match has special meaning for all players involved.
"This game is right up there for me and something I definitely don't take for granted."
"It is a chance to test myself against some of the best players in the world and also to play alongside the best who i wouldn't normally get to play with being a Kiwi."
Kenny-Dowall said the experience he picked up in his last All-Star game would serve him well on this occasion.
" I know what to expect from the match and the build up to the game this time and that is making me really excited," he said.
"I will be out there with a different group of boys meeting some new faces and representing the Roosters at the same time so it is something I will never forget."
It has already been a busy month for Kenny-Dowall who last weekend went in to camp with the New Zealand squad to prepare for the International season ahead.
"Yeah it was just an awesome quick weekend with the group to plan and think ahead to the World Cup to give us the best possible chance of being fully prepared."
Along with preparing for representative duties Kenny-Dowall has spent the majority of the pre-season getting his body ready for the season ahead.
" I am really aiming to be injury free this year and I have changed a few things especially my diet and taking a lot more care of what I eat," he said.
" There are a lot of new faces around here this year and I am feeling really refreshed and ready to go."
After a series of circumstances involving the arrival of Michael Jennings and the need for a replacement centre in the All-Stars side, Kenny-Dowall was given the nod at the expense of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Lucky for the NRL, Kenny-Dowall is more than worthy of All-Star status, having already taken part in the fixture in its debut outing.
"I was completely shocked when I found out I was playing, no one had told me anything and when I rocked up to Roosters HQ one day the boys told me I was playing."
"Once I knew I definitely had mixed emotions but I was over the moon and extremely excited to take part again."
Whilst the game itself might not be worth two competitions points, what the game represents and the fact that it contains the best players in the league means the match has special meaning for all players involved.
"This game is right up there for me and something I definitely don't take for granted."
"It is a chance to test myself against some of the best players in the world and also to play alongside the best who i wouldn't normally get to play with being a Kiwi."
Kenny-Dowall said the experience he picked up in his last All-Star game would serve him well on this occasion.
" I know what to expect from the match and the build up to the game this time and that is making me really excited," he said.
"I will be out there with a different group of boys meeting some new faces and representing the Roosters at the same time so it is something I will never forget."
It has already been a busy month for Kenny-Dowall who last weekend went in to camp with the New Zealand squad to prepare for the International season ahead.
"Yeah it was just an awesome quick weekend with the group to plan and think ahead to the World Cup to give us the best possible chance of being fully prepared."
Along with preparing for representative duties Kenny-Dowall has spent the majority of the pre-season getting his body ready for the season ahead.
" I am really aiming to be injury free this year and I have changed a few things especially my diet and taking a lot more care of what I eat," he said.
" There are a lot of new faces around here this year and I am feeling really refreshed and ready to go."
