Like most uni students, Matt Ikuvalu has been working on the side to help pay the bills.

"I’ve been working at Platypus shoes as a part-time job," Ikuvalu said. "It’s something to keep me going, I’m still employed there. My last shift was actually last Thursday, the grand re-opening of Platypus Erina."

Matthew Ikuvalu (bottom right) with his fellow Platypus Shoes employees at Erina Fair. Credit:Instagram

Ikuvalu has had to inform his manager he won’t be available for shifts this weekend. Because he is making his NRL debut for the Roosters.

With James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell called up for Origin duty, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has had to call up the 24-year-old winger from the Wyong Roos. While some of his teammates are on multi-million dollar contracts at the glamour club, Ikuvalu has been selling shoes and working his way through a teaching degree, holding out hope for an NRL call up.