Her father John is a NSW Country Rugby Union stalwart bordering on legend and her older brother Harry has always played the game, but growing up in Panuara Grace Hamilton never dreamed of donning an Australian jersey, let alone captaining her country.
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Until she landed at North Carolina for a 12-month university exchange in 2013 she'd never even taken the field competitively, after all.
But in just 22 days she'll not just don the Wallaroos jersey for the 12th time she'll do it as Australian captain too, having been unveiled the side's new skipper on Friday morning.
It was just 100 per cent shock, I was a bit worried about even getting a call to say I was in the squad.
- Wallaroos skipper Grace Hamilton, on her appointment as Wallaroos captain
She'll make her captaincy debut in the side's first Test against Japan at Newcastle on July 13.
Hamilton made her international debut against New Zealand back in 2016 and her unveiling as the Wallaroos' new leader on Friday completes a whirlwind rise to the top in many ways, a journey on which she's inspired two Super W titles and starred at a World Cup.
Considering her status in the game many considered her the logical choice to take over after coach Dwayne Nestor made it clear former skipper Liz Patu was no guarantee of retaining the role following a biting suspension back in March.
But in the typically unassuming fashion the she's come to be known for, the affable back-rower said being awarded the captaincy was the last thing she was expecting.
"It was just 100 per cent shock, I was a bit worried about even getting a call to say I was in the squad," Hamilton laughed, speaking to the Central Western Daily just moments after the announcement.
"I don't really think about these things and I never even thought I'd even be involved in the game let alone playing for Australia, I always thought I'd be watching my dad and brother play and be involved.
"I'm a little bit nervous but I'm so excited, it's such a huge honour, and definitely not one I expected."
While her role is now official Hamilton's long-been considered one of Australia's leaders, regularly piloting the Wallaroos' performances with stunning individual efforts from the side, or back, of the scrum.
Her lead-by-example style of play won't change now she has the nation's reins firmly in her grasp.
"I definitely want to lead through my actions," Hamilton said.
"But I also want to help create an environment that all the girls enjoy being in and try and make sure we're all enjoying what we're doing, that's really important I think."
Her appointment is made all the more special by the fact she'll make her first appearance as captain on home soil, in front of her friends and family.
"We've got three home Tests this year and that's just unheard of, and having my first Test as captain at home is going to be really special," Hamilton said.
"My family and friends have always come to watch and they'll be there again, I really can't wait to be able to play at home again and [captain Australia] in front of them, it's so exciting."
Nestor heaped praise on his side's new skipper too, saying she "embodies what we want this team to be about".
"Grace is going to make a fantastic captain in 2019, she's passionate about this team, passionate about rugby, has a strong drive to win and to set high standards," Wallaroos coach Dwayne Nestor said.
"Humble and hardworking, she embodies what we want this to team to be about and I know she will be supported by a strong leadership team."
Nestor's squad, trimmed to 29 and announced on Friday as well, is dominated by Super W-winning Waratahs and second-finishing Queensland stars as well.
Hamilton is joined by fellow Super W champions Emily Chancellor, Evelyn Horomia, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Emily Robinson, Chloe Leaupepe, Arabella McKenzie and Mahalia Murphy.
In an extended 2019 program Australia will face off against Japan on Saturday, July 13 in Newcastle and again at North Sydney Oval the following Friday, before facing the Black Ferns in Perth and Auckland in August.
- WALLAROOS: Grace Hamilton (c), Millie Boyle, Mhicca Carter, Emily Chancellor, Rebecca Clough, Georgia Cormick, Alisha Hewitt, Ariana Hira-Herangi, Evelyn Horomia, Eva Karpani, Chloe Leupepe, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Michaela Leonard, Kiri Lingman, Ashley Marsters, Shannon Mato, Arabella McKenzie, Averyl Mitchell, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Mahalia Murphy, Sera Naiqama, Asako Ono, Liz Patu, Trilleen Pomare, Sarah Riordan, Emily Robinson, Christina Sekona, Samathan Treherne
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