Rugby Union: Former Gunnedah junior Ben Gunter ready to take on the Wallabies

On Saturday, one day shy of his 24^th birthday, the boy from Gunnedah will run out onto the international rugby arena for the first time.

After what the former St Mary's student described as "a long and windy road", he will make his test debut for Japan, against, of all sides, the team he probably once dreamed of pulling on the jersey for - the Wallabies.

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Named to start at No.6, Gunter spoke of it being "a little boy's dream come true".

"I never thought I would get to chance or even be in the position to play international rugby ever so to be here now making my debut against none other but my home country that's all the motivation I need to go out and play to make my family proud," he said.

The irony is that it was because he was unwanted in Australia that he ended up in Japan.

A promising junior talent, Gunter became what was believed to be the first Gunnedah player to be selected for state age group honours, when he was picked to play for the NSW under-15s. The opportunity to further his rugby followed, with the teenager awarded a scholarship to Brisbane Boys College and catching the eye of Queensland development scouts.

He seemed on the pathway to achieving his dreams.

But when he finished school no offers materialised.

On the verge of giving rugby away, like a fairy godmother, Robbie Deans swooped in and invited him over for a trial with the Panasonic Wild Knights.

Some five years later he is preparing for the biggest game of his life.

Gunter said to represent Japan is a huge privilege; the country holding a special place in his heart.

"It has made me who I am today," he said.

"It was my second chance to live out my dream. I owe this country a lot, so for me getting the chance to play for them and representing them is a big honour and I hope I can do this beautiful, honourable country proud."

Close a couple of times previously to making his debut - he missed out on qualifying to represent Japan at the 2019 World Cup by only a couple of days and was earlier this year part of the squad that played the British and Irish Lions in an historic two test series - Gunter said when he heard his name read out in the team he froze.

"I couldn't move. My heart sunk and my mouth went dry; it was one of those times in your life were you go 'is this really happening?'," he reflected.

It won't just be the country he grew up in he will be going up against, but also a couple of former school-mates.

"Len Ikitau and Darcy Swain are to mates from school so it's a special moment for us BBC (Brisbane Boys College) boys. But come game time it's on for young and old; there's no friends on the footy field," he said.

The only downside to it all is that his family obviously isn't able to get over to Japan to watch. If they could, they "would be here in heartbeat".

You can catch the action on Stan Sport from 3.30pm.

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