Former All Black Glen Osborne has made a mid-life career switch, graduating from police college in Wellington on Thursday.
The starting fullback at the 1995 World Cup, Osborne says becoming a police officer has been the hardest thing he's ever done.
"I'm a very happy man - to think where I came from," he says.
Osborne played for the All Blacks 29 times in the late 90s, with 19 of those caps coming in Test matches.
His biggest moment was when he started at fullblack in the 1995 RWC final.
"When I was growing up I always wanted to be in the black jersey, but ever since then I've always wanted to be in the police," Osborne says.
Osborne hasn't done any study for 30 years, calling police college the biggest challenge of his life.
"I don't mind saying this, I got about 13 percent in school C English, so I've obviously had to work really hard."
He graduated with 59 others today as part of the number 298 'John Hart' recruit wing.
Osborne played under the former All Blacks coach, but it was coincidence that Hart was also his wing patron.
"I am so proud of the way he has worked to get through this - this is not easy," Hart says.
"And he will be a fabulous police officer."
Osborne will initially be posted to his home town Whanganui, with a long-term goal of working with young families.
"I really want to help the young people of New Zealand," he says.
And Osborne's All Black pedigree is still there - despite being 45 years old at the end of this month, he finished in the top three in all the fitness tests.
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