The prospect of being asked to defend out of position at centre in State of Origin is not one to faze Connor Watson.
And with good reason.
Watson will on Wednesday night complete his inspirational journey to an Origin debut when he comes off the bench for NSW in Melbourne.
A year ago, the versatile Sydney Rooster was unsure he would ever return to rugby league, as he dealt with a ruptured patella.
Now, Watson is viewed as the Blues' Mr Fix-It.
"It's pretty wild," Watson said from within the NSW camp.
"When I got the call, I spoke to Mum and different people and they're just, 'Imagine telling yourself last year that next you'll be playing State of Origin'."
Watson has already overcome plenty of challenges on his journey to Wednesday night at the MCG.
Months in a wheelchair with his leg extended as he pondered his future in the sport while needing help from mum Jodie and girlfriend Kiana.
Going a week without showering and 558 days between games.
Being forced to move back into his mother's house because he couldn't get up the stairs to his apartment.
"Sometimes I'd have to call Mum and be like, 'Can you come downstairs and help me get out of bed because I've got to get into the wheelchair'," Watson said.
It's part of the reason the 28-year-old is ready to embrace the on-field challenge of playing anywhere for NSW at the MCG.
One of the best utilities in the game, Watson has started everywhere from fullback to five-eighth, hooker and lock with the Roosters and previous club the Newcastle Knights.
That has earned him comparisons to Craig Wing, who played 12 games off the bench for NSW between 2003 and 2009.
"He's pretty good-looking, I don't know if I can compete with him on that," Watson quipped of the former Roosters and Rabbitohs star.
"But coming through at the Roosters I'd see him around a fair bit. We'd always chat about footy stuff and he was always there to lend a voice.
"Growing up, I definitely looked at him. Kurt Gidley was another one who I idolised."
Watson is yet to start a game at centre, but has spent long periods of big matches out wide.
Data from this NRL season shows centre is the hardest position to fill, with any backline injury usually resulting in a player defending out of position there.
It was part of the reason NSW were exposed in Origin I once Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off, while Queensland had Selwyn Cobbo to come off the bench.
"I feel comfortable (at centre)," Watson said.
"I did it at Magic Round not that long ago when (Suaalii) got sin-binned.
"It is a bit different but I've played a fair bit on the edge (defending) three men (in).
"Even when I was at Newcastle, Sione (Mata'utia) was my centre and I defended at two-man a fair bit. So I've done a bit of it."
