No regrets for Country boy Uate
Newcastle excitement machine Akuila Uate has no regrets as he prepares to take the first step towards what many are predicting will be a NSW State of Origin jersey.
The Fijian born winger was shut out of Australia's representative teams because of an eligibility hiccup, but Uate is now thanking the Rugby league International Federation he's a Country boy.
"I always call myself a Country boy, I love being a Country man," he told AAP as he prepared to take on City in Albury on Friday night.
"Hopefully it moves on from there.
"Making this Country side and making Origin was my big dream when I started playing footy when I was on the Central Coast (from 2003).
"I'm here now and I'm excited to be here."
The 2010 Dally M winger of the year played six Tests for Fiji, including the 2008 World Cup.
It was his involvement in the 2009 Pacific Cup that made him ineligible to play for Australia until 2013, something he didn't realise at the time.
Uate received an exemption from the RLIF last October and ran out for the Prime Minister's XIII in Papua New Guinea a few weeks later.
"It was a good decision for me and my family," he said.
"I know my family in Fiji are really excited about it and I've got to move on.
"My mum was really excited, even my family here, even my missus and my daughter, they're really excited for me being here.
"I'm really grateful to be here and I'm ready to play."
The 23-year-old is a realistic chance of being the Blues' right winger when the Origin series against Queensland kicks off at Suncorp Stadium on May 25.
His selection could depend on whether coach Ricky Stuart wants to make room for both Jarryd Hayne and Josh Dugan in the side, while Country goalkicking whiz Michael Gordon is a Blues incumbent.
"I'm just going one at a time at the moment, just Country," Uate said.
"I just can't wait to play on Friday and give it to the City boys.
"Hopefully I play good and make the NSW team.
"I'm looking forward to both of them."
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