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Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan was a surprise visitor on day two of NSW State of Origin camp on Tuesday.
Socceroos star Mat Ryan knows a thing or two about seizing the moment and urged NSW to embrace the pressure of heading into State of Origin I next week.
Ryan was a surprise visitor on day two of Blues camp, where he addressed Brad Fittler's side ahead of their first training run at NSWRL headquarters.
"It was a bit surreal to be there. I'm still just a young athlete also and they were presenting me like royalty. I don't feel that way," Ryan said on Tuesday.
"It's just good to be here and down here watching and supporting them."
Australia's No.1 gloveman is back in the country following an arduous season in the English Premier League, where he helped Brighton avoid relegation.
He is hoping to be in the stands for what would be just his second Origin game and offered a message to the NSW players ahead of their series-opener against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
"I've always liked playing with pressure because the bigger the pressure, the more meaningful the game is," Ryan said.
"That opportunity you have to contribute to the team, gives you opportunities to become legends and heroes within the state and team your're representing.
"That's the opportunity for them now.
"And I'm sure they're going to go out and do that come next Wednesday."
A proud Parramatta fan, Ryan attended the same school as David Klemmer.
"I was a couple of years older than him. I was just scared that he was going to eat me all the time, the size of him," Ryan said.
"I think he was that size when he was at school."
Klemmer said Ryan was always destined for higher honours.
"We knew from a young age he was going to be a superstar. There's a fair few of us, we were pretty close with Mustafa Amini and Terry Antonis," Klemmer said.
"He's a great bloke and I'm so happy to see him doing well and doing good things for his country and club side."