Karl Tui'nukuafe's eyes well with tears when he thinks about his improbable journey to the verge of All Black selection.
As the injury toll continues to rise among the country's props, he's been called into next weekend's camp in Christchurch, part of the national rugby team's preparation for three-test June series against France.
Crusaders front-rower Tim Perry is the latest to fall, straining a hamstring at training on Tuesday.
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It's a miraculous rise for a player who didn't even have a Super Rugby contract when the season began.
It's an even more miraculous rise for a man given an ultimatum by doctors a few years ago - lose weight or suffer the consequences.
After leaving school, Tui'nukuafe, now 25, fell out of rugby, got married and packed on the beef. During those idle years, he claims his weight reached 170kg.
"I was living in Mangere when I got married and just chucked on the weight," he says. "I was just sitting around - I had a desk job with security.
"I talked to the doctors, feeling a bit weird health-wise and they just gave it to me straight.
"My cousins were playing at Takapuna Rugby Club and they said I should come along. I thought it would be fun playing with my family and rugby would be an easier way to lose weight than doing it on my own."
In his younger days, Tui'nukuafe had been part of a massive Wesley College front row that also featured international prop Nepo Laulala, one of those currently unavailable through injury.
Real life intervened after he left school and he took those seasons off, re-emerging with North Harbour in 2015 and also playing some club rugby in France.
He was brought into the Chiefs training squad late last year, but got his big chance when they lost Laulala, Kane Hames, Atu Moli and Aidan Ross this season - and has since impressed against some of the most formidable scrummagers in the Super Rugby.
Chiefs coach Colin Cooper says Tui'nukuafe was an example of New Zealand's undiscovered rugby talent that just needed a chance to succeed.
"He's a powerful scrummager," says Cooper. "At the Mitre 10 [Cup], he was destroying tighthead props and he took that into Super Rugby.
"It was just a matter of getting his fitness, and getting him to understand his role at lineouts, and his role in defence and attack play.
"He's had to work extra hard on his fitness to accomplish that, so it's great reward for him."
Tui'nukuafe is still coming to grips with his sudden elevation to the All Blacks squad.
"It's really cool," he says. "I got a missed call and then a text from the [All Blacks] manager Darren Shand.
"I just called him back and he said congratulations - it was unreal.
"It would be a huge honour to represent my country and my family, if I ever get the chance."
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