IF representative jerseys are rewards for players having done the hard yards, then Northern Pride second-rower Joel Riethmuller will finish his career with a truckload of them.
Riethmuller was this week named at lock in the Queensland Country side to take on City on July 4.
And after overcoming a season-ending knee injury last year and dengue fever at the start of this season, the talented forward is eager to make his opportunity count.
"It’s good to have finally made it and get a crack at playing representative footy, I haven’t played any rep for a while," he said yesterday.
"It’s been pretty tough after last year when I hurt my knee but I’ll just see how I go and hopefully I’ll play well. It’s another step up so it’s a good test for me."
Up for grabs for Riethmuller and the other City-Country players is a spot in the Queensland Residents team to take on their NSW counterparts as a curtain-raiser to State of Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 15.
Riethmuller acknowledged that gaining selection for the match would be a great moment but added that he was trying not to think that far ahead.
Instead he will concentrate on taking his consistent Pride form into Saturday’s Queensland Cup encounter with the Sunshine Coast and then the following weekend’s City-Country clash.
"I think I played pretty badly on the weekend (in the 42-12 loss to Easts Tigers) but other than that my form has been not too bad," he said.
"Week-in, week-out I’ve been pretty consistent but, like all players, there’s always room for improvement."
Having drawn the attention of several NRL clubs before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last season, Riethmuller said he had not given a shot at the big time much thought since returning from his knee reconstruction.
"I was very close last year and if I get more consistency into my game, an opportunity might come up. But I am just concentrating on trying to provide for the team."
Despite his battles, the 24-year-old said his love for the game had motivated his return to action this season.
"The thought of quitting does go through your head when you’re sitting on a couch for five weeks with your leg in the air but you get the hunger back."
Riethmuller’s Northern Pride teammates Rod Jensen, Mark Cantoni and Tom Humble have also won spots in the Country line-up.
Meanwhile, the Pride has made several changes to its side following Saturday’s loss, with winger Drew Campbell to make his season debut.
