It was a sudden call-up that necessitated a rushed lift to the airport courtesy of younger brother Tom but Manly front-rower Jake Trbojevic has revealed the one thing missing from his call-up to the Kangaroos last week: Sea Eagles team-mate Jamie Lyon.
In the first of his Four Nations diary entries for the Sea Eagles website, Trbojevic has detailed the emotions he went through after being called into Mal Meninga's squad for the injured Josh Papalii and adjusting to life in the green and gold.
Before departing with the rest of the 24-man squad for England on Thursday, Trbojevic relived the experience of being part of the Kangaroos' set-up last week in Perth and the perks that come with being part of the national team.
"It is pretty cool to be spending time with the game's best players," Trojevic wrote.
"One of the perks too is that unlike at club level, I got my own room! But I do miss my old Manly room-mate and golf partner, Jamie Lyon, though.
"To make my first trip to England is exciting. But to do it with the Kangaroos is something I could only dream of back in my junior days playing for my beloved Mona Vale Raiders.
"This is what you dream of as a little kid playing junior footy. I can't wait."
Read Jake Trbojevic's full diary entry at www.seaeagles.com.au