On Saturday night he will be representing the US at a second World Cup.

The South Newcastle forward trades in Townson Oval for Townsville after being named on Tuesday in the second-row to tackle Fiji in the Hawks’ tournament opener.

His debut competition in 2013 featured a surprise quarter-final appearance against eventual champions Australia and Shipway wants to draw on that entire experience this time around. 

“I still remember quite a bit from the last one [World Cup] four years ago,” Shipway said from camp.

“Just what to expect and what level you’re up against, so we’re just trying to be really honest with this squad.

“Half the guys are born and bred American, which we didn’t really have last time. So we’re trying to give them as much information as we can before we get onto the field and then keeping a really simple game plan that everyone can relate to.”

It wasn’t all that long ago Shipway, who turned 32 last month, was contemplating retirement. He only returned from Port Macquarie for work earlier this year and re-joined his former Newcastle Rugby League club the Lions.

“I hadn’t been planning on playing this year, but I guess moving back to Newcastle definitely got me interested again,” he said. “The opportunity to play in two [World Cups], but especially to do it in Australia with family here.”

Shipway faces off against Fiji substitute and Knights forward Jacob Saifiti, who along with injured twin brother Daniel recently re-signed with the NRL club until the end of 2020. The US then take on Italy in Townsville (November 5) and Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby (November 12). 

Elsewhere in World Cup round one former Kurri Kurri Bulldogs dynamo Mark Kheirallah was picked at fullback for France and will play in Canberra on Sunday (4pm) against West Newcastle’s James Elias, who scored Lebanon’s centre spot.  

In Cairns on Sunday and Knights under-20 representative Jack Johns has been named at halfback for Italy, who battle Ireland (3pm), while Raymond Terrace junior Jarred Anderson is part of Scotland’s 21-man squad to meet Tonga (5:15pm).    

Knights hooker Danny Levi will come off the bench for New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday (6:10pm) when the Kiwis host Samoa, who feature departing Newcastle back Peter Matau’utia and incoming Newcastle prop Herman Ese’ese. 

Former Knights utility and 2017 Wally Lewis Medallist Dane Gagai will debut on the wing for Australia against England in Melbourne on Friday (8pm).