Earlier this year, Sebastian Sykes was about to pack his bags and tour with the Australian Universities Rugby League squad to Fiji.
The Bond University Bachelor of Laws student who hails from Mungindi on the central western New South Wales-Queensland border was as excited as he had ever been.
But things took a turn when the tour was cancelled at short notice.
"It was full steam ahead until it wasn't!" Sykes said.
“It was out of anyone’s hands and there were understandable reasons for the tour not going ahead, but it was pretty heartbreaking.”
Still, being selected to represent his country left its mark, and Sykes wasn't about to give up on the idea.
When an Australian Universities game against Samoa was inserted into the 2026 representative calendar, he made a mental note.
A strong season for Currumbin Eagles in Gold Coast Rugby League A Grade and being chosen for Queensland in a Universities State of Origin fixture in July helped stamp his ticket.
“I've stayed healthy and had a pretty consistent year and seeing my name in the Universities squad underlined that,” he said.
Last weekend he finally got his chance.
Sykes was presented with his Australian jersey by 12-test Kangaroo, Paul Dunn.
“Honestly wearing the green and gold has got to be the highlight of my career,” he said.
“I can remember at the jersey presentation Paul Dunn speaking about the coat of arms and getting chills down my neck.
“And singing the national anthem with the boys, too.
“Talking to a few of the guys after the game and we were all saying how we'd started to actually get a bit emotional about the whole thing.”
Sykes played at lock and in the second row to help Australia to an entertaining 28-22 win.
“I played 60 of 80 minutes and probably would have played a few more but I split my cheek open,” he said.
“The physio put some butterfly strips on me after the game and got me to book in at the doctors when I got back on the Gold Coast but in the end, I didn't need stitches or glue.
“Mum reckons I'm still handsome so she's happy!”