Campbell Graham became one of those rare NRL players to debut for the Kangaroos before he played Origin, but he is hoping a maiden Blues jersey is not too far away.
The 23-year-old centre was a bolter for Mal Meninga’s 2022 World Cup squad, before debuting for Australia and scoring five tries in two games during the Kangaroos’ World Cup winning campaign.
Graham still pinches himself that he was on tour with some of the best players in the world, who he now counts as close friends for life.
Watch the new look NRL Pre-Season exclusive to Fox League available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Turbo back in Aus and ready to fire | 01:07
“It was the best experience of my life,” Graham told foxsports.com.au.
“Obviously from a footy aspect to be able to play with the game’s best and to be a part of a squad that won the World Cup on a tour of England was unbelievable.
“But just the whole experience of getting over to the UK and spending six weeks with a great group of boys, who were all striving for the same goal and to be able to achieve that goal it was a very special time.
“I had the time of my life and I’m sure I will look back fondly on it for years to come.”
It is hard to believe that Graham still doesn’t turn 24 until June given he has scored 48 tries in 110 games for Souths since debuting in 2017 as an 18-year-old.
A maiden sky blue jersey would be the final feather in his cap in his rugby league career and he has his sights set on an Origin debut in the future.
“I would love to play Origin for sure,” Graham said.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘NOT WILLING TO LOOK AFTER YOU’: Player trike looms amid CBA dispute
DRAGONS CRISIS: Bird requires surgery after club’s pursuit of Croft hits $250k snag
‘FROM A KID TO A MAN’: ‘Phenomenal’ pre-season signs Red V gun now holds
FOOTY IS BACK: Every club’s biggest issue for the NRL trials
“When that comes it comes, but it is definitely the next goal of mine.”
Graham has only known success at Souths, with his rookie season in 2017 when he played five games, the only year the Rabbitohs have not made at least the preliminary final.
Such consistency would be the envy of most players in the NRL, but Graham like his teammates craves that elusive premiership.
Graham believes Souths have the talent and the work ethic, but have been working on delivering under pressure to break their title drought.
“It has been a focus of ours this year to see how we can go that next step, which is something we haven’t been able to do for the last few years,” Graham said.
“It is just about finetuning certain areas of our game and performing under those pressure situations in big games. That’s what it comes down to.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“We know we work hard enough and we have got the talent to do it, so it is just about putting all the pieces together.”
Graham is set to start alongside Isaiah Tass again in 2023, but he also earmarked another young gun centre to get a crack at first grade at some stage throughout the year.
“I think Josiah Karapani has had a great pre-season,” Graham said.
“He has been very impressive at training, so when he gets a crack this year he will be one to watch.”
The Rabbitohs squad broke from their gruelling pre-season to watch Graham’s former under 20s teammate Jordan Mailata play in the Superbowl for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.
The 25-year-old NFL star now on a deal worth $65 million, scored eight tries in 12 games for the Rabbitohs’ under 20s alongside Graham in 2017.
Graham remembers Mailata as humble and willing to work hard to cut down his weight to make it in rugby league, after dropping from 169kg to 143kg that season.
“I haven’t kept in touch with him, but when I played 20s with him I remember the main thing about him was his humility,” Graham said.
“He never took anything too seriously. He was always laughing and having a good time, but When it came to work he was committed.
“He was obviously the biggest lad that I have seen at our club and probably on a footy field in general.
“He worked extremely hard to lose weight so he was fit to play footy and he got himself in good enough shape to be able to play footy.
“He had some impressive highlights in a few under 20s games I remember.”
Souths have no shortage of NFL enthusiasts, but Graham revealed the whole club will take a break from training to watch their former player on the biggest stage.
“I’m not sure if there are Eagles supporters, but there are definitely some of the boys who are big fans of the NFL,” Graham said.
“We usually try to watch the Superbowl together. We train in the morning and then look to go for lunch and watch the game, so it will be even better this year.
“We have got one of the boys who used to represent Souths. It’s very impressive and we are all extremely happy for him.”
The Kansas City Chiefs won the game 38-35 after kicking a field goal in the final seconds of the thrilling contest.
