BEING a part of a representative team made up of the competition's best players was the main reason behind midfielder Matthew Boyd's decision to nominate for the 2008 Toyota International Rules series.

Boyd, 26, will make his debut for Australia later this month in the two Test matches to be held in Perth and Melbourne.

As the lone Bulldog in the nation's side, Boyd wanted to be part of the series having not been involved in anything similar before.

"Representing the country is the real reason. I've never played state footy before, so to play for my country is a great honour," he told westernbulldogs.com.au, at the squad's training session at Arden Street on Thursday.

"It's great, coming into a bigger team. There's only been a limited number of the guys here so far, but everyone I've met has been really nice and easy to get along with.

"We're all here for a reason, and it's great to see how other players go about their training.

"Being at the one club for eight years, you only see how those guys go about it. To see other guys train and prepare and all that sort of stuff is really good."

Boyd is one of 19 players to be making their International Rules debut, with just squad captain Brent Harvey, vice captains Campbell Brown and Adam Selwood, Kade Simpson, Daniel Wells and Ryan Crowley having played before.

He showed poise handling the round ball on Thursday, along with around half the team that gathered in Melbourne for the first official hit-out. The remainder of the squad remains on leave or interstate but will train before the first Test in just over a week.

"It's pretty tricky to get used to but you start feeling much more comfortable after a couple of kicks and training sessions," Boyd said, of the alternatively shaped ball.  

"I'm starting to get the hang of it now but it's still a work in progress.

"Hopefully by the time the game comes around, I'll be right to go."

Another thing Boyd will need to ensure he's on top off before next Friday's opening clash in Perth is how he'll travel the 25-or-so kilometres from Subiaco to the airport directly after the game.

"I had to get the all clear from Crossy [teammate Daniel Cross] and his partner before putting my hand up to play, because they're getting married the day after the first game and I'm in the wedding party," he said.

"I've organised to get on the red eye straight after the game to get there, but they were happy for me to do that so I said I'd play."

The younger Bulldogs will return to training on the 10th of November, while the "older" members of the list have been recalled for the 17th.

Boyd will be granted an additional week of leave after his International Rules duties are complete.  

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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland

First Test – Subiaco Oval, Perth, Friday October 24
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31

Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.

For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
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