Blake Ferguson says the Sydney Roosters' season starts now and believes his own rugby league resurrection is only just beginning too.
Ferguson celebrated his maiden Test call-up with a try-scoring treble that helped catapult the Roosters to a thumping 38-0 win over Newcastle and off the bottom of the NRL ladder.
The 26-year-old admitted relief to getting through the game unscathed so he could join his new Australian teammates in camp for the first time on Sunday.
"It will be a good feeling," Ferguson said in the jubilant Roosters dressing room.
"I'm just excited. There's not too much I can say about it now. I just want to soak it up."
Little wonder Ferguson wants to savour the moment after his last major representative selection ended in despair, the gifted three-quarter thrown out of the NSW State of Origin team - and then the NRL - after his arrest over indecent assault allegations.
"Obviously I probably wouldn't think that I was even going to play footy (again) so, no, it's good to finally get some rewards," Ferguson said.
"I don't think it's the final thing that I've been working towards. I think I've still got plenty of footy in me.
"(But) it's the national team, so it's a big honour.
"There's been so many players before us that have worn that jersey and just to be in with all the guys that have actually played.
"There's some guys that will go down in history in this team and I'm just looking forward to going in there and mixing it with these guys."
Ferguson has played twice for the Prime Minister's XIII under Mal Meninga and shares a special connection with the new Australian Test coach.
"He came down pretty regularly to a few training sessions," he said.
"I'm thankful to have an opportunity (to play for the Kangaroos)".
Ferguson is also reuniting with Josh Dugan, the pair dubiously dubbed the Breezer Brothers after their drunken escapades when downing the alcoholic drink on a Canberra rooftop in 2013 led to Dugan's exit from the Raiders.
"Me and Duges have got a pretty good relationship. We've been through it all together and come out the other side, which is a good thing," Ferguson said.
"We've both grown up a lot. He's got a child and I've got a child and it's good to finally get into camp with `Dugie'.
"Last time unfortunate circumstances forced me out of the team and I think this time it will be a whole lot different."
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