North Queensland recruit Robert Lui knows better than most that nothing in life is guaranteed – but the troubled No.7 is daring to dream big ahead of the 2012 NRL season.
The 21-year-old, who will answer assault charges in a Sydney court on March 21, is among the candidates to partner superstar Johnathan Thurston in the halves for the Cowboys.
Thurston wants to shift from half-back to five-eighth at both club and representative level, leaving Lui, Ray Thompson and Michael Morgan to battle for the No.7 jersey.
Lui, who was released by the Wests Tigers last November but immediately snapped up by the Cowboys on a two-year deal, is confident he can help the club become an unstoppable attacking force if given the nod at half-back.
"Coming up here there's a job to do," Lui conceded.
"They're big boots to fill but I know I've just got to do my role and my job right and put in 100 percent for the team ... then it'll be hard to defend us all."
"He's (Thurston) not the best No.7 for nothing, he's been there for a while but I think he wants to play out wider."
"So it's up to King (Neil Henry) the coach to choose out of me and Ray (Thompson) or there's Ben Jones and Michael Morgan as well."
"I've got to train hard, there's still a couple of weeks until the trials and fingers crossed hopefully I'm in that first 17."
Pressed on how long it would take to develop his partnership with Thurston if selected, Benji Marshall's former halves partner replied: "I reckon it's just getting that combination right. If I play with someone I haven't played with before I just want to get that combo right."
"Also with the forwards they've got to get that rhythm of catching the ball and doing the hard yards."
Lui is hoping to make his club debut in the Cowboys' opening trial against Brisbane on February 4.
"Yeah I can't wait ... it's going to be a bit rough because first up getting back into the grind of things but it's going to be good just to get my hands on the ball and play a game and do what we've trained all summer to do."
"I can't wait and all the boys are pumped."