Unheralded Melbourne Rising fly-half Archie King is the fourth nominee for the NRC Rising Star award.
Little known outside Sydney club rugby prior to the 2018 NRC season, King has been a revelation for the Rising after getting the call-up from his Shute Shield team Eastern Suburbs.
In an up-and-down Rising season, the 24-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers, wearing the no.10 jersey.
King has scored two tries and set up a handful of tries for his teammates, with an assured blend of passing, kicking and running games.
The Easts junior has played first grade for the "Beasties" for several seasons but in recent years has turned out at fullback, due to NSW playmaker Mack Mason taking over the no.10 at Woollahra Oval.
But with the Rising losing the man they'd originally pencilled in to play fly-half - Jack Maddocks - to Wallabies duties, they turned to King, who has clearly relished the no.10 duties and seems perfectly comfortable after stepping up to the next level.
There's a neat connection to being Maddocks' replacement, too. King is one of the Wallaby winger's best mates, and along with Souths star Angus Crichton, the trio all share a flat in Sydney.
Sitting in a precarious sixth spot with one win and three losses, the Rising can't afford another loss and they hope to play finals, they need King to steer them to victory in their big clash with the Vikings on Saturday night in Canberra.
Australian players are eligible for the NRC Rising Star award if they have played three games or fewer in Super Rugby. Drua players must have played three games or fewer for the Flying Fijians.
The NRC Rising Star award winner will be selected by a judging panel at the end of the 2018 NRC season.
NRC RISING STAR NOMINEES
Round One: Andrew Deegan (Western Force)
Round Two: Alivereti Veitokani (Fijian Drua)
Round Three: Jock Campbell (Queensland Country)
Round Four: Archie King (Melbourne Rising)
Round Five: TBA
Round Six: TBA
Round Seven: TBA
