Reagan Campbell-Gillard looked right at home in his first New South Wales jersey.
It was back in 2018, Campbell-Gillard was 24, an incumbent Australian Test prop and had the rugby league world at his feet after contributing 109 metres and 27 tackles in a 22-12 Blues victory at the MCG that marked Brad Fittler's debut as New South Wales coach.
The-then Penrith Panthers prop shone in the spotlight, succeeding where so many Origin rookies have failed, but Campbell-Gillard's beginning would also be the end of his representative journey – until now.
Nine days after his debut, Campbell-Gillard shattered his jaw in a brutal clash with Rooster big man Jared Werea Hargreaves.
His broken jaw needed 10 screws, two plates and six weeks on the sideline to fix, and the Kangaroos prop's plans for a second Origin berth went up in smoke.
"It was a freak accident, that's what happens when you go back to club level, I got that taste (of Origin) in 2018 and I loved every minute of it, I would have loved to contribute to more to that series," Campbell-Gillard said.
That December, barely six months after he recovered, lightning struck twice for Campbell-Gillard when he broke his jaw again during a routine Panthers training run.
He was not recalled for the Blues the following season and contributes his up-and-down form in 2019 to his lingering demons from the nasty injuries.
Fast forward to May 29, 2022, the day Fittler is set to announce his latest Blues team.
Campbell-Gillard is in Canberra, helping guide his Parramatta Eels to a 28-20 win over the Raiders, and when he hits the sheds afterwards he has four missed calls from Fittler.
"I called him back, no answer, and finally got hold of him, he just said 'are you ready to go' I said yes and that was it," Campbell-Gillard said.
"It was definitely a surprise, it's been four years since my last game so I thought I wouldn't get another chance but I'm very thankful to Freddy for giving me the recall, I love the state, I love the jersey, I like what this team is all about."
Campbell-Gillard was part of the Blues extended squad in 2020 during COVID-19 but never made the field.
In 2021, he joked he had "retired from representative football", and laughed at those comments this week back in Blues camp.
"I know there are still better front rowers than myself and I am more than happy for those boys to be playing because I know they'll do the job," Campbell-Gillard said.
"I'll probably need a bit of luck to go my way this year; I've already had luck go my way this year to get the recall – so I'll enjoy the week and see what happens."
Campbell-Gillard has been named on the interchange bench in the number 16 jersey and feels his footy and life experience will help him excel in the Origin arena.
"I thought I matured back when I was 23, 24 but I have had a bad run with injuries, which effects you, changing clubs as well – I wouldn't know if I am at my peak or what that feels like, but the last few years I've been enjoying football," Campbell-Gillard said.
"That comes down to my club, the coach, the team has made my life enjoyable."
Next Wednesday, the 28-year old has the chance to prove he is no one-hit wonder and has plenty left in his Origin tank.
But that comes later — for now, he's soaking up the opportunity to be back.
"I am stoked to be back, just happy to be in the squad getting another chance, and i always love the week and the camp, hopefully I get off the mark in game one," Campbell-Gillard said.
If he can do just that he's every chance of playing in his third and fourth game in Perth and Brisbane.
New South Wales lifted the shield in 2018 and Campbell Gillard is hoping to help the Blues do so again, this time participating from start to finish.
