Cheyenne Campbell pinches herself every time she wakes in Dublin and readies herself to prepare for the Wallaroos' opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland this week.
The 30-year-old centre-cum-flanker-now-hooker always had dreams of being a multiple World Cup participant after making her debut for Australia at the 2010 tournament in England.
But that was thrown into disarray when three days out from jumping on a plane and heading to the France for the 2014 tournament she ripped a hamstring off the bone in what seemed an innocuous training drill.
"I just heard a pop," Campbell recalls.
That meant she would have to look on from afar and follow the team's progress in France where they eventually finished seventh.
"It's definitely been a journey," Campbell said of the years since the dark days of 2014.
"Missing out on that World Cup in France was disappointing but it was a challenge to me to go through the rehab and come back stronger."
Campbell, who works as a PE teacher at Shailer Park State High and would often play backyard footy with her cousin Quade Cooper, has done just that and has been installed as a vital member of this team's leadership group by coach Scott Allen.
"Being a vice-captain is an honour and a privilege and I'm grateful for that opportunity," she added.
"We've got some new girls in this group and some old heads so it's a good combination.
"This has definitely been the best preparation that I have been involved in and we've come together really well and are strong because of it.
"It's been tough both physically and mentally but if it gets the right results on the field then it's all been worth it."
The Wallaroos kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign on August 10 against Ireland at UCD Bowl, kicking off at 4am AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
