It's been quite the rugby journey for Kiwi Lion Jared Payne.
Cut from the Waikato provincial squad a decade ago by Warren Gatland, 2017 will see him reunited with his former boss after being selected to the Lions squad to tour New Zealand in June.
Widley viewed by as one of the bolters of the group named Wednesday night (NZ time), it appears nobody is more stunned by his inclusion than Payne himself.
"Surprised," said Payne when asked of his emotions upon hearing his name read out.
"You don’t get too many shocks these days but it's definitely something that's come out of the blue for me. I'm hugely proud and over the moon, but pretty surprised as well.
"It's not really sunk in just yet."
The Tauranga product went through stops with the Chiefs, Crusaders, and Blues before making his way to Irish club Ulster where his form earned him a call-up for the Ireland national side, for whom he qualified via residency.
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Gatland, while unapologetic regarding that fateful cut from the Waikato side, was adamant he always had the tools to take his game to that next level.
"He was absolutely a talented individual but I felt at the time he wasn't fulfilling his potential," said Gatland, himself a former Waikato representative.
"Now he's a British and Irish Lion.
"I'm absolutely delighted to see the turnaround….to see the change in a player's career like that is outstanding."
Playing predominantly in the midfield, the 31-year-old has since earned 20 caps for the men in green after making his debut against South Africa in 2014 and was part of the side which created history against the All Blacks in Chicago in November.
Payne will be well versed in the unique challenges of playing in New Zealand, having worked his way up the ranks to represent New Zealand at both the U-21s and sevens levels.
With 36 appearances - including a stint as captain - under his belt for Northland, he may well find himself back on familiar territory at Whangarei's Toll Stadium for the Lions tour opener against the provincial Barbarians.
He won’t be the lone Kiwi on the tour, with former NRL star and now England centre Ben Te'o also receiving the call-up to return to his native Aotearoa.
"I grew up in New Zealand. My parents are still in New Zealand. I've played all my rugby around New Zealand a long time ago," Te'o told Sky Sports following his selection UK.
"I know the country but I don't think it gives me any advantage. It's still a rugby field and you've still got to go out there and front up against the best team in the world."
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