Josh Addo-Carr has achieved everything in rugby league but there's one incomplete piece in his career jigsaw that he wants to put in place.
The Canterbury winger arrived in Brisbane to join the Australian Prime Minister's XIII squad with a spring in his step and an eye on the Rugby League World Cup in England next month.
"It has always been a goal of mine to play in a World Cup and win a World Cup with Australia. It is the only thing I haven't achieved yet," Addo-Carr told AAP ahead of Sunday's clash with Papua New Guinea at Suncorp Stadium.
"Hopefully I have that conversation with (coach) Mal Meninga and I do get picked.
"I debuted for Australia in 2019 at WIN Stadium (against New Zealand) and never in a million years did I think I would do that because I never made any representative teams as a kid.
"When I put that green and gold jersey for the first time I remember running out with the boys and saw all the green and gold jerseys and my family in the crowd.
"It felt like my debut at the Wests Tigers when I ran out for my NRL debut and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I want that feeling again."
Addo-Carr, who played two Tests in 2019, has won two NRL premierships with Melbourne and three State of Origin series with NSW.
While the Australian PM's XIII is not recognised as a Test match, it is still dear to the 27-year-old's heart and a stepping stone to playing in the World Cup.
"It has been a long time since the Australian team has played so to get the opportunity to represent the green and gold is the best thing in rugby league. It is the pinnacle," he said.
"To have the jersey on again is special."
Addo-Carr has had time to reflect on being overlooked for NSW in this year's State of Origin series after playing 12 Origin games straight and winning three of four series he contested.
"I was disappointed as any human being would be in not putting the sky-blue jersey on, but I got over it," he said.
"I did what I had to do at the Bulldogs and let my footy do the talking. All the hard work I put into the Bulldogs jersey is finally being rewarded by playing in this team."
Despite the Bulldogs missing the top eight, Addo-Carr still scored 16 tries in 23 games to take his career tally to 112 tries in 150 matches.
Meninga did not guarantee his selection for the World Cup squad but did say Addo-Carr "has been a great player for his country and state".
"A player of his ilk going on a tour is really good from a balance point of view, and fun. He adds a lot to a footy team," Meninga said.
