It would be fair to say Coen Hess was not overly confident that Queensland would select him for Wednesday's State of Origin opener in Melbourne.
"I'm not a very religious person but I was praying that I did get the call," Hess said.
But the out-of-sorts back-rower was convinced he could again be the Maroons' impact bench weapon in Origin I after struggling to adjust to life as an 80-minute player at NRL club North Queensland this year.
After a tough season start with the Cowboys, the 21-year-old admitted there were some nervous moments before the Maroons team was named for the series opener at the MCG.
His anxiety was not eased by Cowboys teammates Gavin Cooper and Michael Morgan getting a call from coach Kevin Walters to say they were in right in front of him.
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"I saw Morgo and Coops and they walked outside on the phone. I was patiently waiting my turn," Hess said.
When Hess' prayers were answered, the Cowboys back-rower missed Walters' call because he was stuck in a match review meeting.
"We were in review of the Cowboys game when my phone went off in my pocket," Hess said.
"I was hoping it was Kevvie calling.
"He could have been calling me to say I wasn't in the team but him calling was a sign.
"I was relieved when I found out I was in the team."
Hess' retention on the Maroons bench for Origin I raised eyebrows after the young gun's unconvincing season start with a battling Cowboys.
Hess burst onto the Origin scene with two games last year as a try scoring impact bench player for Queensland, doing plenty of damage but only in short stints.
At the Cowboys this year, Hess has hardly been sighted in highlights reels as he battles to adjust to playing the full 80 minutes.
However, Hess was confident he could revert back to bench X-factor mode for Queensland in Origin I.
"I was adjusting to that 80 minute role in the back-row for the Cowboys," Hess said.
"I found it pretty tough starting the year but midway through the season I found myself again.
"I wasn't scoring as many tries as last year but my role in the team is a lot clearer to me now and I know what I have to do.
"My job for the Cowboys is to play the full 80 and my job here is to create some impact."
