Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta almost lost his sushi over his All Blacks selection to face Ireland in three tests in July.
The 2021 NPC Player of the Year for Taranaki has made the No.15 jersey his own for the tabletopping Aucklanders, while also deputising for Beauden Barrett at first-five when required.
But the international rookie was among his teammates, preparing for the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Crusaders on Saturday, when his name was read out among the 36 players for next month's series against the Irish.
Although the squad was announced in alphabetical order, his inclusion seemed to take him by surprise, as he nursed his lunch on his lap.
"I'm struggling to find the words," said Perofeta, 25. "Over the moon, eh.
"Extremely grateful and honoured, to be honest... everyone's sacrificed everything for me to get there."
Teammate Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is poised to become a double international, after the former NZ Warriors captain switched from rugby league late last year. He has been named in the midfield for the national rugby side, after playing wing and fullback for the NZ Kiwis.
"It's still surreal, just hearing my name called out in the ABs, my first squad" said Tuivasa-Sheck, 29. "It's just crazy.
"My family are real proud and I'm real proud of the achievement, but still a lot of work to be done. Big game this weekend and I'd love to get a chip with this club, then look to higher honours after that.
"It still hasn't sunk in yet and I'm just really, really grateful and blessed to be in this position."
Along with the two newcomers, the tabletopping Blues have 10 others in the squad - props Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala and Karl Tu'inukuafe, loose forwards Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu, halfback Finlay Christie, first-five Barrett, centre Rieko Ioane and winger Caleb Clarke.
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Blues v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific final
