Demitric Vaimauga may look down the NZ Warriors bench this weekend and wonder how he got so old so quickly.
By Grant Chapman for RNZ
The powerhouse forward is three seasons into his profession rugby league career, but at just 22, he is still serving an extended apprenticeship behind seasoned international and Origin stars.
This weekend, against Cronulla Sharks, many of those veterans are unavailable through injury or representative duties, leaving the much-vaunted next wave of Warriors talent to hold fort.
Jacob Laban, 22, is covering for Kurt Capewell in the second row, Tanner Stowers-Smith, 22, will man the front row for James Fisher-Harris, while Leka Halasima, 20, is sidelined by a hamstring strain.
When the squad was named on Tuesday, Vaimauga, with his 42 first-grade games, was the oldest and most experienced survivor on an interchange that featured potential debutants Kayliss Fatialofa, Makaia Tafua, Jye Linnane and Jason Salalilo, along with seven-game neophyte Eddie Ieremia-Toeava.
Coach Andrew Webster may yet promote veteran fullback Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad or half Luke Metcalf from the extended reserves, but for now, Vaimauga was 'captain' of a bench with an average age of 21.
"I was talking to the boys on the bench earlier and I felt like there was this massive age difference, but we're all the same age," he said. "They're just as capable and I'm looking forward to seeing them get on the field.
"I don't really want to change anything, but just do my job well and set the platform for the boys coming on, especially with how young our bench is.
"Nothing changes for them - play your game, do it well and do what's best for the team."
Vaimauga can still vividly remember his own NRL debut as a teenager against Sydney Roosters in April 2023, an experience that should serve as a cautionary tale for his new teammates.
"My first involvement in the game was defence," he recalled. "I made about four tackles in my first set and was playing catch-up for a little bit after that."
Vaimauga, playing under his father's name of Sifakula, made 14 tackles in a 19-minute stint and has since carved a role for himself off the bench about 25 minutes into the game as a ball-playing middle forward.
In particular, he has become a cult hero for his full-throttle kickoff returns off the back fence of the in-goal area, long hair flowing, smashing into oncoming defensive lines.
"It wasn't really natural, but it kind of happened," he grinned. "It lifts the team's energy and gets me hyped too, so if I get the opportunity, I will.
"I see myself as an ambitious player and, as much as I respect the opposition, I want to get my name out there and change the game. With a run like that, that's what I'm hoping to do - dead straight and hopefully my eyes are open afterwards.
"Sometimes I like going after boys with reputations, but whoever's in front of me... anyone can get it."
Despite missing 660 first-grade games from his forward pack, Webster seems buoyed by the prospect of introducing more newcomers to the big stage.
"I don't go into this game with any concerns," he said. "I think every coach would love every player available for selection, but we don't have that right now.
"I love these weeks… I love weeks when guys get opportunities to play.
"Super proud of our programme, next man up. We still have to deliver a strong performance, but we've got complete faith in those guys."
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