Pauta has been in outstanding form for the Dubbo Kangaroos this season and that was rewarded with a place in the Central West Blue Bulls and NSW Country Cockatoos squads.

The powerful outside centre has left defenders in his wake week after week during the Blowes Clothing Cup and Kangaroos coach Paul Hennock said Pauta fully deserves his call up.

“He certainly has, every game he’s played with us he’s made a big difference and he lifts the guys around him, he’s great for us,” he said.

“He always finds space if there’s a defender in front of him or even two defenders he always manages to find space, he’s just quite a talented player.”

The man who was crowned Player of the Series during last year’s Country Championships was at his best last week at Forbes when the Roos found themselves under real pressure to maintain their spot at the top of the Blowes Cup.

The Orange Emus had thumped the Mudgee Wombats and were set to move to the outright lead of the competition as Dubbo only led 12-5 at half-time.

But Pauta injected himself into the game in the second half and his double led to the Roos recording a bonus point and keeping a hold of top spot.

With such strong showings in 2014, continuing on from those last season, Hennock admitted he was shocked Pauta had not been called up earlier.

“He was looked at earlier and I was a bit surprised he didn’t get called up then and I thought Peter Nau might have got a look in too but they’re pretty strong there and there’s only three actual players in the country squad who play their rugby in country areas.”

Pauta joins Illawarra pair Paulia Tuala and Eli Sinoti as the only Eagles players who don’t play their rugby in the major cities. The Kangaroos star is expected to undergo strenuous medical tests with his career often plagued by a knee injury.

Hennock admitted he was unsure what Pauta’s call up means for his side.  With only two rounds of the Blowes Cup left before finals it is unclear yet whether Pauta will have to travel to train with the Eagles side during that time.

While any potential absence would be a blow for the Roos Hennock said he was proud a player from Dubbo had the chance to play at the highest level.

“It’s a big tick in the box here, the aim of the game is to make players better and get them to play at that next level and it’s good for us, we might lose them for some games but they learn more and come back as better players and pass that on to our teams,” he said.

Pauta may have a chance to play in front of his home fans when the NSW Country Eagles welcome the Perth Spirit to Caltex Park on October 18.