Steve Peacocke, 29, is better known in the city for his rugby skills than his stage presence.

But that’s all about to change on February 14 when the son of retired accountant Gareth Peacocke and wife Sylvia joins the cast of popular Channel Seven soapie, Home and Away.

Two auditions secured a three-year contract on the ever-popular show for the budding young actor after he ditched football to concentrate on a dream inspired by the likes of Russell Crowe.

For three months he has been watching the sun rise over Palm Beach where Home and Away is filmed.

“This time last year I was unloading frozen fish and prawns from a shipping container,” he told the Daily Liberal on Friday.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes.”

Home and Away is his big break to date, but Steve is not a stranger to television having appeared briefly in minor roles on shows such as All Saints, Packed to

the Rafters , Rake and East West 101.

In between gigs, this down-to-earth bloke from the bush has worked as a labourer to pay the bills while kicking around the footy with mates who rib him whenever they get the chance.

“Every time there’s an ad on for Home and Away I get about 15 text messages,” he said.

Born at Dubbo Base Hospital, Steve attended public schools in South Dubbo before completing his secondary education at a boarding school in Bathurst.

While in Dubbo he played rugby with the Dubbo Kangaroos and was selected to play in central west representative sides.

Before leaving the family nest at the age of 16, his knack for impersonations and performing led brother Frank to suggest acting was the way to go.

It was a defining moment and despite a stint as a jackeroo at Bourke, and Newcastle University studies in the field of communications, Steve hung onto his acting goals.

Football injuries opened the door to theatre work and the receipt of a City of Newcastle Theatre Award.

“I fell in with good people and kept learning on the job in front of an audience,” said Steve, who has a role in the feature film Burning Man, due for release this year.

Steve plays the eldest and most revered of the Braxton brothers in Home and Away, a character described as a “loyal, reckless and a feared member of the River Boys”.

Darryl ‘Brax’ Braxton is set to shake up the police and locals of Summer Bay with physical confrontations and a “dangerous secret affair”.

“This is a brilliant opportunity ...to be able to learn from experienced Australian actors,” Steve said.

One day he wants to try his luck in America, but for now is keen to do “my best” for Home and Away.