Dylan Brown may be coming off a career high with his first NRL Grand Final for Parramatta Eels, but the Rugby League World Cup for New Zealand will be even bigger, the NZ Kiwis five-eighth insists.
Brown, 22, was a key cog in the Eels side that reached the NRL decider for the first time since 2009, even as Parramatta fell short against the all-conquering Penrith Panthers.
But with the World Cup beginning this weekend in England, he has had little time to dwell on the defeat, as he instead concentrates on bouncing back for his country.
While the international game has struggled to find its relevance alongside the NRL and State of Origin, Brown says playing at the World Cup is a level higher than he's just experienced on the club stage.
"It was a massive year, we didn't really expect to get that far to be honest," Brown said. "It was my first Grand Final obviously, but this is even bigger.
"To represent your country and play alongside some of the best players in the comp is unreal."
Along with the five other Kiwis teammates who played in the NRL decider, Brown arrived late to the UK and didn't play in the side's warm-up victory over Super League side Leeds.
Even missing some of their best players, the national side put in a dominant display against the Rhinos, running in 14 tries for a 74-0 victory.
With the Kiwis now at full strength, Brown can't contain his delight at being alongside his international teammates.
"The team's good, I feel like it's just the Kiwi culture," he continued. "Everyone seems to come in and get along very well.
"The team's looking alright too, so we've got to wait and see until the comp starts. We're all pretty excited.
"Even though we came late, the boys welcomed us pretty well. Even these facilities we're at now, we got a pretty cool welcome this morning.
"I'm stoked to be here."
Despite his status as one of the best in the NRL, Brown has been capped just once by the Kiwis, debuting in this year's victory over Mate Ma'a Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium.
With the international calendar being relaunched, starting with the World Cup, Brown hopes to become a Kiwis regular.
"I'm just keen to get out there and play. It's a crazy feeling to get out there and play for New Zealand.
"There's some unreal players in this team that I can learn off - Foz [Kieran Foran] for example.
"I'm going to do my best to do that and hopefully continue to wear the black jersey."
Catch the Rugby League World Cup live on Spark Sport and free-to-air on Three, or join us for live updates of the Kiwis campaign, beginning October 17 (NZ time) against Lebanon
