Jake Trbojevic is expected to be one of five Kangaroos debutants against Scotland in Four-Nations opener

JAKE Trbojevic lives by the saying “I stick my head where people wouldn’t put their feet” as he closes in on a Test debut.

JAKE Trbojevic lives by the saying “I stick my head where people wouldn’t put their feet” as he closes in on a Test debut.

While Trbojevic maintains the line is merely tongue-in-cheek, it is a phrase which has had his Manly teammates in raptures this year.

The Sea Eagles forward downplayed the seriousness of it but it is an apt description for the way he plays the game as his reputation as a heavy hitter in defence grows. Trbojevic also revealed he has ­delayed knee surgery to live out his Kangaroos dream.

“I geed them up,” Trbojevic said of his Manly teammates. “I might’ve got knocked out and said that. A few of the boys like it but I don’t really mean it.

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Jake Trbojevic and Matt Scott train ahead of the Australian Kangaroos' Four Nations opening match against Scotland. Picture: Supplied

“Sometimes (I try to live by it). You try and be as competitive as possible. I’ve said it a couple of times now and it’s stuck with the boys.”

Trbojevic is expected to be among five debutants when the Kangaroos face Scotland in the Four-Nations opener on Saturday.

He is likely to start at lock, while James Maloney, Justin O’Neill and Matt Moylan are also set to start their first game for Australia.

Jake Friend is likely to be joined on a new-look bench alongside Shannon Boyd, Trent Merrin and Michael Morgan. Cameron Smith will retain the starting hooking role.

Josh Mansour and Blake Ferguson are the probable wingers, which could mean Valentine Holmes has cemented his place in the strongest Kangaroos side after a strong debut against the Kiwis.

For Trbojevic, his rise has been rapid. He just wanted to play a handful of first-grade games last year after making his NRL debut in 2013. His 2014 season was ravaged by serious leg and ankle injuries.

“At the beginning of last year I had only played one first grade game and I just wanted to play four or five,” Trbojevic said.

Jake Trbojevic is expected to make his Kangaroos debut against Scotland.

“I’d played once and got a taste for it and I just wanted to play a few games. I played the first game in reserve grade last year and then played the whole year, which I didn’t expect at all. I just wanted to play a few games.”

Trbojevic was overlooked for the initial 24-man Kangaroos squad but became a late replacement when Josh Papalii was ruled out because of ankle surgery.

The 22-year-old needs his own surgery, delaying a knee operation to take his place for Australia.

He had been booked in for an ­operation just days after learning of his Australian selection. The surgery has been pushed back until the tour ends.

“I just need a clean-out, nothing major,” Trbojevic said.

“It didn’t worry me at all. It’s something I had to get done to help long-term and not get problems with my knee.

“I’m fine training and everything is fine. I’ve put it off until when I get back. It’s an amazing experience and something I hadn’t thought about at all.

“I can’t believe it. It’s pretty special.”

Originally published as Jake Trbojevic is expected to be one of five Kangaroos debutants against Scotland in Four-Nations opener