Through his early weeks as an All Black, powerhouse prop Tamaiti Williams has impressed those around him with his quiet demeanour.
Initially, that silence may have been a hangover from celebrations of the Crusaders' seventh Super Rugby crown in as many years.
"Tamaiti can't talk," joked veteran Dane Coles, as the squad assembled at Auckland. "[He's had] a couple of days on the bender to get his voice back.
"He's pretty quiet at the moment, so that's good."
That nature did not go unnoticed and unappreciated by coach Ian Foster.
"I like quiet props," he quipped.
Williams, 22, has been named for a potential All Blacks debut off the bench against the defending world champions - and New Zealand's most formidable rugby rivals - South Africa.
Two weeks in camp with the national team have done little to loosen his tongue, as he comes to grips with his new surroundings and sudden elevation into rugby's top echelon.
"It's something you dream of," he admitted. "I think a lot of young Māori boys only dream of being in this team, so for me to get the opportunity is pretty cool.
"I called my parents first - Mum just cried, Dad didn't say anything - then I called my fiancee and she just cried too. I think it's taken a bit of time for them to let it soak in, so they're just happy."
They're not the only ones. From the slightly chubby kid who debuted for the Crusaders at 20, Williams has grown into a man mountain, who may yet become a gamechanger at this year's Rugby World Cup and beyond.
"You don't have to look twice to let there's a lot of potential there," remarked veteran hooker and Crusaders teammate Codie Taylor. "Over the last year or two, he's had a great opportunity to play some Super Rugby, unfortunately on the back of a few boys getting injured, but he's stepped in and put his hand up.
"I'm hugely proud of his efforts, from being a prop that came off the bench to play 20 minutes to someone that played 70 in a Super Rugby final and played extremely well. It's a testiment to him and the work he's put in off the field and the support he has behind him.
"I'm excited to see him get out there and play test footy."
Ironically, much of that growth has come through shrinking his massive frame, trimming 10kg to his current fighting weight of 139kg.
"I had to have a hard look at myself and my fitness," admitted Williams. "I had a big offseason, and just wanted to train every day and get better - that was the main goal.
"It's good being big, but if you're big and you can't get around, you can't do anything. For me, it's just getting more involvement in the game.
"If I get my hands on the ball more, I have to be fitter - it's just balancing that out."
Confronting the Springboks, which six beefy forwards coming off their bench, represents the ultimate thrown-in-the-deep-end test for the debutant, who began his career too late to face South African franchises in Super Rugby.
"It's going to be a big challenge, but someone similar - Fletcher Newell - debuted last year against South Africa as well and he definitely put his hand up," reflected Taylor. "I know they get on really well, so he may have some advice too."
Unfortunate injuries to Crusaders and All Blacks front-rowers Newell, George Bower and Joe Moody have helped Williams to where he is today. Where this opportunity leads is now up to him.
"He's settled in really well," said Foster. "I think we all saw his growth over the last six months, and he's continued to train well and contributed well," said Foster. "We're obviously really keen to get him in.
"It's a big test, but we've got a lot of confidence in him."
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