At 25, Jacob Preston has become one of the Kangaroos' surprise performers at this World Cup.
He arrived at the tournament unsure he would play a game.
Last Sunday night, he launched a stinging verbal attack on Canterbury captain and Samoan rival Stephen Crichton.
The clash showed Preston performs better when opposition players try to get under his skin.
It also underlined why he is expected to be part of Australia's team for the next decade.