Cronulla hitman Wade Graham is refusing to drop his bundle after being overlooked by Australia and has set his sights on a World Cup berth.
Despite being one of the form back-rowers of the competition and a major catalyst behind the Sharks' breakthrough NRL premiership win last year, Graham couldn't get a look-in from Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and his selectors for next month's Test against New Zealand.
The tough-as-teak 26-year-old is refusing to spit the dummy, accepting that he is behind Matt Gillett, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Sam Thaiday and Trent Merrin in the pecking order.
Merrin in particular is a contentious pick, given Penrith's slow start to the year and his indifferent form, but the famously loyal Meninga stuck solid with the players who did the job for him in last year's Four Nations.
"I don't think it's any secret which way Mal was going to go," Graham said.
"Other than the changes that were forced due to injury, I don't think anyone was expecting too many changes."
For Graham, his task is to get his foot in the door before the World Cup kicks off in late October.
"That's definitely a goal, to be a part of that squad" Graham said.
"There's a lot of time between now and the end of the year and generally the teams that have success find their players get in those squads. But there's a lot of footy to be played between now and then."
Graham last year made his representative debut with NSW and after 10 years of toil is edging towards cracking the national team.
The Blacktown product is playing in arguably the most competitive position in the league with himself, Josh Jackson, Gavin Cooper and Jake Trbojevic on the periphery of Australian selection.
"You've just got to do what you've got to do," Graham said.
"There's no use crying over what-ifs and what-could-bes. You've just got to get on with the job.
"There's a lot of talent in the back row across the NRL. I'm sure if you took three of them out and you picked another three, they'd all do the job just as well.
"Unfortunately those boys have their foot in the door and have done the job in previous years."
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