Heilum Luki: 'I love my state, I love where I come from'

Heilum Luki is riding high after being called up to join Billy Slater's Queensland Maroons squad for Game II in Melbourne.

The North Queensland Cowboys second rower said "it feels unreal, honestly" to join teammates Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Valentine Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi in camp.

"Was a bit of a surprise to me... Billy Slater gave me a call and said I'd be flying to Brisbane," Luki said.

"He just said I've been playing alright and he'd like me to be part of the extended bench... I was over the moon. Very, very happy.

"Honestly, it feels like a big privilege to be here. I'm very honoured to be in, around and amongst all of these other players... to be in this squad, I'm very honoured and can't wait to rip in at training."

Luki, the second eldest of six children, said State of Origin in his household as a kid in Cairns meant staying up late, cheering loudly.

"State of Origin was always staying up late on a Wednesday night with all of my brothers and sisters... I have three sisters and two brothers.. watching the TV, staying up and cheering on Queensland," Luki said.

"I liked Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges and Johnathan Thurston stood out for me the most at that time, when I was younger."

Luki said to one day don a Maroons jersey "would honestly mean the world".

"You know, coming from North Queensland and watching the Maroons on a Wednesday night for Origin when I was younger... being part of the squad means the world to me," Luki said.

"It's all happened pretty fast. Got here and met all the boys. I'm just trying to soak it in and take it one day at a time. 

"I love my state, I love where I come from and I'm very passionate about Queensland. One day hopefully I might be able to put the jersey on and represent where I come from.

"Honestly can't wait to start training and get to know all of the boys a bit more."

Luki's rugby league journey started in Cairns when he was about eight; he said he simply loves the game.

"I started playing my junior footy for a team called Central Scorpions... unfortunately they're not a team at the moment... and I also played a bit of juniors for Cairns Brothers," Luki said.

"I just played most of my footy up until end of 19s... played through the Northern Pride system, 18s, 20s and a bit of Cup then after that made my way to Townsville where I played for the Cowboys.

"Now, I just want to show that if I do get the call up, I can be trusted to do my job; do it 100 per cent."