Hooker Tai McIsaac will make his run-on debut for the Bank of Queensland Reds in Friday night's Vodafone Super 12 clash with the Hurricanes at Ballymore, kick-off 8pm.
McIsaac replaces Wallaby hooker Sean Hardman after impressing as a replacement during Saturday's 35-23 win over NSW in Sydney.
His call-up to Super 12 caps a remarkable rise for the former Centrelink supervisor who only began playing rugby at Bond University five years ago.
He took up the game to keep fit after retiring from water polo after missing a berth in the Australian team for the Atlanta Olympics and has surprised all, including himself, ever since.
"I only ever played for Bond for some fun with a few mates, I didn't even look at playing for the Gold Coast," said McIsaac, who paid tribute to the coaching of Breakers pair Grant Batty and Mike Thomas as well as Reds assistant Alec Evans.
"I never envisaged it but now that I'm here I'm keen to stay and do my best."
Bank of Queensland Reds v Hurricanes
1.Nick Stiles 2.Tai McIsaac 3.Fletcher Dyson 4.Matt Cockbain 5.Daniel Heenan 6.John Roe 7.David Croft 8.Toutai Kefu (captain) 9.Josh Valentine 10.Elton Flatley 11.Wendell Sailor 12.Steve Kefu 13.Daniel Herbert 14.Ben Tune 15.Chris Latham.
Replacements: 16.Sean Hardman 17.Glenn Panoho 18.Rudi Vedelago 19.Tom McVerry 20.Ben Wakely 21.Julian Huxley 22.Peter Hynes