Rugby World Cup 2019: Luke Jacobson recounts life-changing All Blacks call-up

Newly named All Black Luke Jacobson didn't let his phone out of his sight on Tuesday.

Acting on a tip from Chiefs teammate Damian McKenzie, who'd told him the All Blacks selectors give their new call-ups a courtesy phone call before the official squad announcement, Jacobson had all-but given up hope of hearing his name by the time 7pm rolled around.

"By the time the team was being read, I thought, 'Damn, I've missed out'," Jacobson told Newshub. "I really wasn't expecting much."

But the flat lounge in Cambridge, where he was parked up in front of the TV with brother and fellow Chiefs loosie Mitch, soon erupted, as the flanker was named as one of four fresh faces in the All Blacks' first squad of 2019.

"I was just filled with joy, when I first heard it. Parents were hugely proud, gave me a call and went out for dinner with them.

"They were just stoked for me."

The versatile 22-year-old was a revelation for the Chiefs through their Super Rugby campaign, injecting a welcome dose of confrontational and combative play, combined with slick ball skills and a relentless motor.

While a head injury, suffered in a collision with prop Angus Ta'avao at training, brought a premature end to his breakout season, Jacobson soon learned he'd managed to make quite an impression on the national selectors, albeit in slightly unconventional fashion.

"First of all, I just got added to this group on WhatsApp," he laughs. "It was just a random group with no label, and I saw it was Brad Weber and all the other All Blacks.

"I thought, 'Jeez, that's not a bad group to be a part of', so it was pretty exciting just getting added to that."

The NZ-age group star, who only made his Super Rugby debut last season, has enjoyed a heady rise and he'll be straight into the fire at the group's first training session on Thursday - the first step in what shapes to be a scrap for the number six jersey.

Incumbent Liam Squire's surprise decision to withdraw from consideration likely opened the door for Jacobson's inclusion and he believes he has the added versatility to play any position among the loose forwards - a trait highly coveted by Hansen and co.

"I'm a bit anxious about training tomorrow, but once I get the first one out of the way, I'll know what to expect and we'll keep moving from there.

"All the competition is good. There are players in the same position that I'm going to be learning off and we'll be making each other better."

He may be closer to the rear of the queue at this stage, but he has a genuine chance to establish himself in the enforcer role of his childhood hero, a trait that's since become synonymous will the All Blacks number-six jersey.

"Jerry Collins was always an idol of mine growing up. The way he plays with his physicality and what he brings to the game.

"If I could bring to the field what he does, I'd be pretty happy."

Although he didn't feature in the final stages of the Super Rugby season, Jacobson has been working his way back to match fitness playing for Waikato club Hautapu and insists he's ready to take full advantage of his situation, no matter how unexpected it may have been.

"I'm just going to take my opportunity and see if I can stick around here."

As for prankster McKenzie, Jacobson says his time will come.

"I haven't actually hosed him yet - but I will." 

Newshub.

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