All Blacks pivot Richie Mo'unga has found the ideal roommate for his first run-on appearance in a black number-10 jersey - Beauden Barrett.
Mo'unga admits he's taken full advantage of the opportunity, mining the incumbent first-five for as much advice as he can gather before his start against Argentina in Nelson on Saturday.
In fact, he's been privy to a lot more information than he probably expected.
"I've actually had the pleasure of listening to a few of his phone calls with Hannah," said Mo'unga, referring to Barrett's fiancé, Hannah Laity. "Which has been an experience in itself."
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The newly-engaged Mo'unga admits he hasn’t returned the favour, but he hasn’t been shy with his questioning.
"I've been picking his brains and asking questions, probably when he's just about to go to sleep.
"We've talked a lot about other things outside footy too, which has been really helpful in just getting to know him.
"He is the world's best 10. My job when I come in here is to learn as much as I can from him, so that when I get an opportunity, I'm ready."
The Crusaders phenomenon will get that opportunity at Trafalgar Park, one insist has been too long in the making.
The 24-year-old was the catalyst for the red-and-blacks' championship-winning Super Rugby campaign and arguably the unofficial MVP of the entire 2018 competition. The chorus for him to take the step up into the test arena has been loud - and justifiably so.
Coach Steve Hansen confesses that the plan to start him in this fixture was hatched at the very start of the Rugby Championship, something Mo'unga had no inkling of.
"It was a massive surprise," he said. "It's an exciting time for myself, and family and friends."
"It was a dream of mine to put that black jersey on and the next step is to start in a test.
"I guess the challenge is living up to the expectation and doing my job for the team.
"It's something I've had in my head this year that I wanted to achieve. You just have to wait your time and trust that the management have their timings right."
The Christchurch native was handed the role of waterboy during the recent Bledisloe Cup series. That was a ploy by Hansen to allow him to get acquainted with the cauldron of test-match rugby and it achieved the desired result.
"It was an awesome experience to be out there physically… to hear the chat that’s going around, feel the momentum of the game swing and feel like you're out there playing as well," said Mo'unga.
"It was massive - that in itself was a huge opportunity for me, as well. Firstly, just to be trusted with job, it's harder than it looks."
Everything now comes down to preparation, as he braces for the chance he's being waiting so patiently for - doing what got him to the dance.
"I used to overthink many things when I was younger - the weather, if I should wear moulds or sprigs, what socks I should put on first.
"But I've learned if you have the genuine prep every week, there's no doubt in my mind of my abilities and what I can do.
"Just having full trust in why I'm here and the abilities I have and why I've been picked... not doing anything different - just my core role as best as I can."
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