MICHAEL DE VERE is a man at the very top of his profession.

He's a current Australian Test centre, plays State of Origin on a regular basis and is the all-time leading points-scorer for top National Rugby League (NRL) club Brisbane Broncos.

Originally a junior from Wests in Sydney, the 27-year-old played lower grades for St George before writing to Broncos coach Wayne Bennett in 1996 asking for a trial.

Instead, Bennett, who doubles up as the Australian coach, signed him on an incentive contract - and there was no looking back.

De Vere made his first-grade debut in 1997 and has proved an invaluable asset ever since.

He played a major role in the club's premiership successes in 1998 and 2000 and has amassed over 1,000 points for his club.

By the age of 23 he had firmly established himself as a leading member of the New South Wales State of Origin side.

Last season he helped the Blues clinch their first series win over Queensland since 2000 and was rewarded for that effort with an Australian Test call.

He made his debut in the 30-16 defeat to New Zealand last October, but bounced back to play in all three Tests as Australia retained the Ashes with victory over Great Britain the following month.

In fact, De Vere was a tryscorer when the Kangaroos beat the Lions 18-12 in the final Test at the McAlpine, his new home.

De Vere was also in Test action earlier this year, scoring a try as the Kangaroos beat New Zealand 37-10 in the ANZAC Test in April. He also landed four superb goals.

The Brisbane star has also taken that goalscoring form into this season's NRL competition.

A haul of 162 points from eight tries and 65 goals puts him second in the points-scoring chart behind the Bulldogs' Hazem El Masri.

A knee injury picked up in training at the weekend has scuppered his chances of regaining top spot before the end of the season.

But that won't prevent him from arriving in England along with fellow new recruit and State of Origin campaigner Brad Drew (from Canberra Raiders) for the start of pre-season training with the Giants in early January.

Instead, it will leave De Vere refreshed and ready to put his reputation on the line and, hopefully, take SL by storm!