By his own admission, England back-rower Ben Currie deserved a slice of luck.
The Warrington Wolves representative feared his Rugby League World Cup dream was over in August after a second knee injury following an 11-month recovery from a full reconstruction.
England coach Wayne Bennett reassured the 23-year-old he would still be considered for selection despite being restricted to two appearances during the Super League season after churning out 33 games in 2016.
Then, leading into England's opening game against Australia, teammate Alex Walmsley was struck down with a virus and Currie received a late call-up to the bench for his first international game in red and white.
"It's crazy how it all works," Currie told NRL.com.
"It's been a tough year and Wayne had faith in me from the beginning. I have had my doubts but he's been great with me."
The injury to Sam Burgess paved the way for Currie to start in England's first victory of the tournament against Lebanon in Sydney.
It capped a stellar turnaround after a horrid 12 months with the forward chalking up a try and 136 running metres.
"(Bennett) left me on for the whole game so it was good to get that under my belt," Currie said.
"We wanted to build on last week [against Australia] but we weren't happy … we could have played better and wanted to replicate what we did in the first half but it didn't quite go that way.
"To get my first try for England I was over the moon and I think we were all relieved with the win but have got work to do."
Currie was a member of the Ireland's World Cup team in 2013 and believes the tournament was a perfect stepping stone into the next stage of his career.
"We were in the same pool as Australia and England so it was a good start for me to play against the best players in the world," he said.
"We got beat heavily by those sides back then but it was a learning curve. I was only 19.
"Being more realistic this time around I feel like we've got more of a chance to win it and I've developed more as a player since then."
Despite signing a four-year deal with Warrington in 2015, Currie admits an interest in a move to the NRL – but is in no hurry to follow the likes of countrymen James Graham, Gareth Widdop and Josh Hodgson.
"I've got another couple of years with the Wolves and will weigh up my options when the time comes. We've had quite a few Aussie boys come over and a few more next year so we get a bit of a taste there.
"It's a fast game and the refs don't get as involved, it's good to watch."
He said players were foolish not to watch potential opposition leading into the tournament.
"For me it was the first year I've really started to watch the NRL, I would wake up early to watch," Currie said.
"A few of us in our team played against guys like Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks when we came over in under-18s and schoolboys.
"Wayne has clued us up on all players and given us tips on what to watch out for. You have to learn those little things."
England are in Western Australia before their final group stages clash with France and need a win to book their quarter-final spot.
After experiencing English-type weather during their victory over Lebanon in Sydney, Currie was expecting the opposite in Perth.
"I'll be protecting my tan," he laughed.
"It's not too bad though, we've settled in after staying before the tournament started.
"We have done a bit of travelling but it's been enjoyable just the same."
