From Gunnedah to grand-slam glory?
Wallabies' captain Harry Wilson will be looking to take the latest step in a remarkable rugby union journey when he leads the Australian side against Scotland early Monday.
A win over the Scots would put the Wallabies on the brink of a historic grand slam, a feat only achieved when the touring team beats all four home nations during a tour of the UK.
Australia has pulled it off only once: in 1984.
Victories over Scotland and Ireland would see Wilson lead the Wallabies into rugby's field of dreams — a far cry from the country grounds he played on as a child.
The back rower started playing when he was four years old, but what he learned in Gunnedah stays with him even today.
"I think the rural grassroots footy is the backbone to rugby in Australia, and it's probably been the best-performing level of footy year in, year out for many, many years," he said.
"It definitely just taught me the love of rugby where you'd drive two, three hours every second Sunday for a game of rugby, and you wouldn't even second guess it.
Harry Wilson says his time playing in Gunnedah helped shape him into the rugby player he is today. (Supplied: Harry Wilson)
"I guess the only way you can get to the top is by playing grassroots footy."
Wilson is not the only current Wallaby from country New South Wales.
Tom Hooper hails from Bathurst and rookie Darby Lancaster, who has been called on to play against Scotland, started his career in the mid-north coast town of Kempsey.
A natural talent
Wilson did have a distinct advantage in his younger years though.
One of his first junior coaches was former wallaby Tim Gavin, who also started his football career in regional New South Wales.
"I don't think many people get to say that when they're under-6, under-8 that they've been coached by a former Wallaby," Wilson said.
"So that's always something pretty cool to look back on too."
The 47-test veteran spotted Wilson's natural talent from an early age.
"He was just so keen, he was into everything and he could just read the game really well," Gavin said.
"Harry would pass and then end up on the back end of the back line and score the try after three or four passes.
"He just knew how to read the game from an early age, which is quite exceptional for a young player."
Harry Wilson says he wouldn't be the Wallaby he is today without the training he received at an early age. (Supplied: Julius Dimataga, Rugby Australia)
But rugby's gain may have been cricket's loss according to local coach, Bruce Hockings.
"I think he could have gone a long way with cricket as well," Hockings said.
"He just was one of those natural kids and very competitive.
"We're very lucky to see him grow up and be a decent human."
Harry Wilson hopes more country kids will enjoy rugby like he has for so many years. (Supplied: Julius Dimataga, Rugby Australia)
Inspiring the next generation
Hockings hopes kids from rural and regional Australia will see players like Wilson on the big stage and be encouraged to pursue their own dreams.
"I think it's great for all those kids who are watching or playing in Gunnedah, or playing in any country town, to see Harry Wilson holding that cup up and captain of Australia knowing that he started off playing junior football in Gunnedah," he said.
Australia plays Scotland on Monday morning 12:40am AEDT (1:40pm in Edinburgh).