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Kangaroo Collins emotional ahead of international debut

The prop’s grandfather won two World Cups for Australia on the wing.

Published by
Jack Blyth

The vast majority of a player's inspiration for running out for the Kangaroos is simply reaching the pinnacle of rugby league, but Lindsay Collins will have a lot more on his mind when he finally dons the green and gold.

The 26-year-old Roosters prop had a badly torn ACL early last season, forcing the front-rower to practically learn how to run all over again, yet Collins will follow in his grandfather's footsteps this weekend, and pull on the Kangaroos jersey.

Collins' grandfather was Lionel Williamson, a winger that featured in the successful 1968 and 1970 World Cups for Australia, scoring a try in both finals, an effort grandson Collins is hoping to emulate.

The Queensland Maroons forward revealed to the AAP that he nearly burst into tears when he saw the Williamson name etched onto the wall of the meeting room at Australia's hotel.

"To see his name up there #429... it's hard to get an Australian jersey, and then you've got two in your family that have got it. That's pretty emotional," Collins told the AAP.

"It's pretty cool to see it when I come in every morning.

"I don't know if he's got my UK number. We'll see after the Scotland game, he'll probably give me a few pointers and tips on what I need to do better.

"He told me about all his war stories, it was like a three-month boat ride in those days."

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Lindsay Collins of the Roosters is tackled by Reuben Cotter and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown of the Cowboys during the round four NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Sydney Roosters at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on April 02, 2022, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

It's the cherry on top of a rollercoaster two years for Collins, who's maiden game for Australia comes 13 days shy of the two-year anniversary of his State of Origin debut, and an ACL tear wedged between the momentous occasions.

The front-rower also featured in both the successful 2018 and 2019 preliminary finals for the Roosters, however was dropped both times in favour of a recovering player, something he doesn't want to repeat at the World Cup.

"There's been a bit of adversity there," he said to the AAP.

"I set out a few goals and this was the plan. So I'm happy, grateful and humbled to be here.

"I've got pages and pages of the same goal every day.

"It's basically keeping yourself accountable every day.

"When you don't want to have an ice bath, or get in the sauna, or stretch ... It's a constant reminder that this is what you're working towards.

"It just builds up over time and creates good habits."

Collins will join Matt Burton, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Campbell Graham in making their Kangaroo debuts against Scotland this Saturday, 5:30am AEDT.

Published by
Jack Blyth