England have turned to a number of heritage players for this Rugby League World Cup, but for Max King, the journey from a bedroom wall to international selection represents the culmination of years of quiet determination.
Born in Huddersfield, King relocated to Australia when he was seven years old, yet his formative memories of rugby league remained rooted in English soil. His grandfather's devotion to Leeds Rhinos and the town's deep passion for the sport shaped his early understanding of the game, even as he grew up on the other side of the world.
The Canterbury Bulldogs prop harboured World Cup ambitions for an extended period, so much so that he physically documented his goal. A sticky note affixed to his bedroom wall served as a daily reminder of his aspiration to represent England at the tournament four years earlier in 2022.
That particular opportunity did not materialise, and King began to wonder whether his dream would ever come to pass. Everything changed when Brian McDermott, England's new head coach, made a phone call that reignited the ambition. Now, King finds himself in the squad for this year's World Cup, ready to represent both his own heritage and that of his mother's English lineage.
The transformation from a sticky note on a bedroom wall to genuine reality came swiftly after that conversation. King is now set to make his Test debut as part of England's starting team for their opening match against Tonga on Saturday, 17 October, alongside Hugo Savala, Zach Eckersley and Sam Walters.
I was born and raised in Huddersfield. I can still remember being a seven-year-old but I have been back and forth a number of times with my mum's side of the family, King reflected on his early years.
So I've been a couple of times you know as a teenager, as a sort of young adult. I grew up around league, I know obviously it's football mad you know, but I grew up as a league family and yeah I remember going to the Leeds Rhinos games. My grandfather was a Leeds Rhinos tragic.
The significance of pulling on an England jersey extends far beyond King himself.
It is a special moment for my family being able to represent myself and my heritage, he said.
His parents' reaction underscored just how meaningful the selection was.
My dad was just as ecstatic as everyone else and my mum was quite emotional. My parents have always been supportive and they'd be supportive for me if I was playing for a local third grade side.
From sticky note to reality
King's method of goal-setting has long involved writing his ambitions down and placing them where he would see them constantly.
I was sharing a story with a couple of boys last night. I like to write goals on the wall and sort of sticky note them and my wife reminds me when we first started dating. She came over to my house and I had this big sticky note that was across from my bed.
I would see it every day and the was a goal to make the World Cup for the England side in 2022. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be and I kind of thought from there that it just wasn't going to happen you know and I think sometimes you know being on the Australian side it can sometimes be harder just because your loyalty and dedication towards England probably gets questioned.
King's rise to prominence in the NRL has been remarkable. The 29-year-old represented New South Wales in all three State of Origin matches in 2025 before earning his first England call-up, establishing himself as one of the competition's leading front-rowers.
The turning point came when McDermott reached out with an opportunity that King could scarcely believe was happening.
It wasn't until Brian McDermott gave me a call this year and asked me how I felt about the opportunity to play and I was buzzing. I was just trying to make sure I was doing whatever it took to to be here towards the end of the year and have this opportunity alongside some of the boys.
McDermott's approach to leadership made an immediate impression on King.
Spending time with Brian, the limited time that I have, he is definitely an emotional speaker and he can definitely get the hairs on the back of the neck to stand up at times. Obviously, that dream that I had reignited and it didn't take much.
Finding his place in the England environment
King's integration into the England squad presented a different kind of challenge. While he recognised many of the players from their exploits in Super League, most were names and faces rather than established friendships. The majority of the group operate in the English domestic competition, creating a potential barrier to quick bonding.
However, King discovered that the culture within the England setup transcended such obstacles. He credits his father's experience for preparing him for what he would encounter. David King, who played for Huddersfield Giants during his career, had shared valuable insights about the differences between playing in Australia and England.
It's definitely a new group and that can be daunting. Sometimes that stuff takes a couple weeks to gel and feel at home but I feel like the boys have really welcomed me with open arms, King explained.
I think that's an English culture to be honest. I remember asking my dad a couple months ago. He played a bit in NRL, but he played most of his career in the Super League and I said what was the difference and the biggest thing he said was just the English culture the mateship for having your back.
He said that he has mates from footy in Australia but the blokes he played with in England they were mates for the rest of his life. He still speaks to them to this day and that really inspired me.
The camaraderie within the squad has already begun to take shape.
I can't fault the boys. They are so easy and great to get along with. We have had some bonding sessions, but the boys are full of laughs and great to be around so I feel right at home.
King's selection comes as England prepare for their World Cup campaign with renewed tactical focus under McDermott's leadership, with the squad determined to prove their credentials despite being regarded as underdogs in the tournament.
What happens next
England will face Tonga on Saturday, 17 October, at HBF Park in Perth, with the match scheduled to kick off at 5:05 p.m. local time. For King, the occasion represents not merely a debut, but the realisation of a dream that has sustained him through years of uncertainty and distance from home.
