CRONULLA Sharks rookie Jack Bird made his debut at senior representative level on Sunday against City Origin at Wagga Wagga.
The 20-year-old has played in five NRL matches this season debuting as an interchange player against the Gold Coast Titans.
Country Origin defeated City 34-22, and Bird was solid as a rock.
He made his starting debut at five-eighth in the shock win against the Sydney Roosters.
Bird was named by Country Origin coach Trent Barrett as an interchange player but got drafted into the starting team at halfback when Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen withdrew.
The Berkeley Eagles junior originally started his grade career with St George Illawarra.
He is the "one who got away" from the Dragons, signing a two-year deal with the Sharks on September 14 last year.
Country Origin and Penrith NRL assistant coach and former Dragons and Sharks five-eighth Trent Barrett was quick to promote Bird to the starting team.
"I was sitting next to him, looking at him and I had a bit of a double take," Barrett said.
"A few people have said we are similar players; maybe it's the black hair.
"I've watched a couple of things he does and it does remind me a bit of how I used to play. "
Bird said he was very happy to be in the squad.
The NRL competition now resumes with round nine fixtures, and the Sharks are back at home against the New Zealand Warriors at 5.30pm at Remondis Stadium, Woolooware.
Sharks forward Luke Lewis played for the Kangaroos in the Anzac Test, but Sharks and NSW State of Origin Skipper Paul Gallen is still sidelined with a hip/gluteal muscle injury, and is out indefinitely.
The Sharks lost their most recent game 18-26 against Penrith at Penrith. They are 14th on six points.
