Lachlan Maranta did not expect Nick Stiles' call, given that he had to throw two loads of washing on before boarding his flight to Buenos Aires.
The ex-Brisbane Broncos wing has joined the Queensland squad ahead of their clash with the Jaguares after Quade Cooper was suspended for three games last night.
Maranta does not provide direct cover as he best suited at wing or fullback but with Jake McIntyre set to start at flyhalf and Henry Taefu providing further cover in the inside backs, Stiles opted to get Maranta on the next flight to Argentina.
Perhaps that's why he had to quickly rush to the laundry to ensure he had enough clean clothes for the week ahead."It was a bit of a rush, getting the bags packed and everything like that," Maranta said.
"I had to put a couple loads of washing on because everything was a bit dirty but it's good to get over here."
Maranta is yet to feature in a match day 23 and puts that down to making a transition back to the 15-man game, having grown up playing rugby at famous nursery Gregory Terrace.
"The transition has been okay, I knew it was going to be a slow process, it wasn't going to just happen like that," he said.
"I just need to be patient and not get frustrated.
"I'm excited to be over here and have that opportunity."
The 24-year-old has chosen Wests as his Premier Grade club and is thriving on the consistency rugby at Sylvan Road provides.
"I can see the whole field back there and that's helped me a lot.
"It's also been good to go back to that level and show what we've done at the preseason at the Reds and have an input as well - that's what I enjoy.
"I'm pretty excited when the opportunity comes (for the Reds), it'll be one of those things when I sink or swim.
"When I get the opportunity I'll be ready."
