Shaun Timmins will go down as one of the most courageous players to lace on a boot.

The classy utility started his career at Illawarra as a centre and made his Test debut in that position in 1999 as part of the Kangaroos side in the Tri Nations.

The following year he made his State of Origin debut, becoming a fixture in the NSW side.

However, knee problems threatened to cut down Timmins in his prime. The Kiama-born Dragon underwent surgery, sat out 18 months and defied medical opinion to come back better than ever.

When he returned in 2002, Timmins went straight back into the NSW and Australian sides. However, Timmins' career in the centres was on borrowed time.

He was earmarked for the back of the scrum but found himself playing five-eighth in the absence of injured teammate Trent Barrett.

Timmins did such a good job he was selected at five-eighth for the opening game of the 2004 Origin series.

Timmins scored a try, kicked a match-winning field and won man of the match as NSW beat Queensland. He was rewarded with a place on the Kangaroo tour at the end of the season.

He announced his representative retirement in 2005 but continued to give his all for the Dragaons before hanging up the boots at the end of 2006.