All Blacks and Chiefs prop Angus Ta'avao today opened up about his remarkable journey to Test rugby, having started 2018 unsure if he even had a future in the game.
Ta'avao, 28, was drafted into the Chiefs' training squad last year as injury cover. In previous years he had failed to make impressions with the Blues and Waratahs in Super Rugby.
From there though, the front-rower didn't look back, first working his way into the Chiefs' Super Rugby squad, before All Black selection and three Tests rounded off an astonishing story.
Now preparing for his second season with the Chiefs, Ta'avao himself is still blown away by his rise to the top of New Zealand rugby's ranks.
"I suppose to think of where I was a year ago compared to now, it's been a pretty crazy ride," Ta'avao told 1 NEWS.
"To call myself an All Black, [and] now have a contract for a couple of years, it's pretty awesome.
"A bit scary there for a little bit, but I suppose it's part of the journey."
Ta'avao also spoke about the uncertainty around his introduction into the Chiefs' squad, called in as cover for All Black Nepo Laulala over pre-season.
"[I] Sort of just played pre-season, week to week sort of thing, nothing guaranteed. Each week sign a bit of paper saying you're in for another week, a replacement player.
"It was tough, my family was in Auckland. I was travelling down to Hamilton for the week to train, come back to Auckland for the weekend to see my family.
"It was a pretty tough time, but that was the only opportunity I had. Otherwise I'd be doing landscaping with my mates.
"After a couple weeks of Super Rugby, there were a few more injuries and it cemented into a rest of the year sort of gig."
Ta'avao is now an established member of the Chiefs' squad, and will begin Super Rugby 2019 against the Highlanders in Hamilton on February 15.
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