Nepo Laulala loves proving his doubters wrong.
When one of the biggest doubters is your own doctor, it makes it that much sweeter.
Laulala has one of the more remarkable injury recovery stories to tell as he continues his second coming with the All Blacks this Sunday against France in Paris.
It comes nearly two years after the powerhouse prop snapped three knee ligaments and tore his quad muscle off the bone in a horrific pre-season training incident with the Chiefs.
Laulala recalls his doctor saying it was the worst injury he had ever seen.
It was the next comment that was like a bolt from the blue.
"My doc told me that he didn't think I'd play again."
Aged 25 at the time and with four Tests already under his belt, the diagnosis sent Samoan-born Laulala into a spin.
After undergoing a knee reconstruction, Laulala began thinking about alternative careers.
Personal training had some appeal but then he decided he wouldn't just lie down and accept what he'd been told.
The All Blacks and Chiefs prop surprised his surgeon with how quickly he is recovering to the point he’s already attending four-day training camps. (Source: Other)
"I wanted to prove that I could make it back. I wanted to prove that doctor wrong," Laulala said.
"I was really angry with him. After that, I never saw him again and it played a really big role in me getting back here.
"You've got to stay strong and not believe everything you hear."
After sitting out 2016 completely, Laulala's return to rugby has been not only miraculous but perfectly timed.
A season-ending injury to veteran tighthead Owen Franks and the departure overseas of his long-time understudy Charlie Faumuina have cleared the way for Laulala to cement a Test berth.
The All Blacks scrum hasn't missed a beat since he and loosehead Kane Hames assumed the propping duties in a raw-looking front row.
Laulala has enjoyed catching up this week with Paris-based brother Casey, who played two All Blacks Tests at centre more than a decade ago.
A young Nepo was inspired when his older sibling pulled on the All Blacks jersey against Wales at Cardiff in 2004.
"I grew up in the islands and we're very casual there, almost too casual," he said.
"He made us believe we're capable of more than what we actually think.
"He's helped me through heaps and he's part of the main reason for choosing this pathway."
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