All Black debutant Ruben Love has revealed how a teacher telling him to "pick another dream" fuelled him for years.
The 23-year-old made his debut in the black jersey against Japan on Saturday, scoring tries in the 78th and 80th minutes.
The All Blacks eventually scored 10 tries in total to win 64-19 at Nissan Stadium.
In a post to his social media, he thanked his family, friends and "everyone that's been on this journey with me".
"This moment is yours just as much as it's mine."
He also thanked a teacher that fuelled his goals.
"To the teacher that got me in front of the class and made me say my dream out loud then proceeded to tell me I have a 1% chance of being an All Black then told me to choose another dream…
“I stole your gym key and used that as fuel for years.”
Love earned his first-call up to the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship after a breakout Super Rugby season for the Hurricanes.
His All Blacks' debut was pushed back after he suffered a thigh injury during Wellington's unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Tasman in Blenheim last month.
Love previously represented the All Blacks XV, the Māori All Blacks and the New Zealand U20 team.
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