Former All Black Eroni Clarke hopes his return to shape during Three's Match Fit will inspire others to follow suit.
The 51-year-old's eight-week journey culminated on Tuesday night, as Sir Graham Henry's troop of former All Blacks played a full-contact game against an NZ Barbarians side.
Clarke, who played 24 tests for the All Blacks between 1992-98, admits he has lacked the motivation to work out and live healthy since his playing days ended more than two decades ago.
But the Apia-born Aucklander is a changed man, after shedding 12kg during the filming of the show.
"One of the reasons for wanting to do the show was to get back in some sort of shape, but also spread that message to other men, in particular, to get out and find a routine and stick to it," Clarke tells The Project.
"It was a decision that was easily made and it was about being a role model for middle-aged men struggling with being middle-aged."
Son and current All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke was a key motivator in putting himself out there for the nation to see.
The 21-year-old has announced himself as a superstar of the game, firstly with the Blues and then with his three-test stint in a black jersey.
Clarke says Caleb and his other children have been his sounding board during the boot camp.
"The great thing about the whole process was my kids telling me I could do it. I've tended to let myself go since I finished playing rugby and they've been really encouraging."
The thrill of watching his son wear the black jersey has been a humbling experience for Clarke, who is incredibly proud of how Caleb has risen to the occasion and embraced the great responsibility of following in the footsteps of those who have come before.
"It's a wonderful feeling. When you see your kids doing the things they have been blessed with the ability to do is great and to see Caleb do it at the highest level of the game that is the All Blacks is amazing.
"The thing for me is just wanting him to do his best every time.
"The thing about being an All Black is you want to represent and honour that jersey. He is playing with a number on his back that has seen some of the greats - Jonah [Lomu], Sir Bryan Williams and Inga Tuigamala to name a few.
"For Caleb, it's about honouring that jersey and playing at his best."
