Penrith Under-20s fullback Caleb Aekins has been named in a 38-strong Wales training squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
The former Otaika Eagles junior has been impressing at the back in the Holden Cup for the third-placed Panthers throughout the season and has been rewarded with this call-up.
Aekins captained Whangarei Boys' High School league and rugby sides before heading to Australia.
He joins Panthers teammate winger Daniel Brown and Newcastle Knights halfback Josh Ralph among six uncapped players named by Wales coach John Kear in the provisional squad.
The squad was announced on Friday at Wales' World Cup kit launch, which marked 100 days until their opening group match against Papua New Guinea.