Born in New Zealand, Francis Manuleleua could have represented the Kiwis but chose Samoa for his international career.
The 22-year-old Newcastle forward and teammate Jermaine McEwen are set to debut for Samoa at next week's Rugby League World Cup match against France.
Best friends who shared a house in Newcastle, they will take the field together after breakout seasons and their first NRL finals campaigns.
McEwen said representing his mother was especially meaningful: "For my Dad's side I always play the Koori Knockout, every year. So this year I want to represent my Mum."
Samoa's Round 3 clash with Tonga is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, at CommBank Stadium.
McEwen said the traditional war cry would make the occasion emotional: "That's something you dream of as a kid and when they do the war cry you get teary, you know what I mean. Then you want to start smashing them all" McEwen told us.
Manuleleua made his first-grade debut in Round 3 and later started in the Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters.
He played 15 matches, scored four tries and made nine line breaks, including the Grand Final's opening try, which put Newcastle ahead 6-0.