Two weeks ago, Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea thought he'd be spending this Saturday night watching the All Blacks from the stands at Mt Smart Stadium.
Instead, the 22-year-old will make his test debut, wearing the No.12 jersey against Tonga.
The last fortnight has been a whirlwind for Tupaea, who was in camp with the Māori All Blacks, when he was named in Ian Foster's squad for the 2021 campaign.
And while Tupaea's elevation to the highest of honours is partly due to a growing midfield injury crisis for Foster and his selectors, his form for the Chiefs was scintillating during their road to the final of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
All Blacks midfield partner Rieko Ioane admits he is a big fan of New Zealand's latest international, after experiencing his skillset first hand with the Blues.
"Quinn played really good footy for the Chiefs," Ioane says. "He's a young kid with growing confidence, good footwork and a good carrier.
"I'm pumped for Quinn and I know he will go awesome on Saturday."
Simplicity is the keyword for Tupaea, as he prepares for the biggest match of his fledgling career.
The Hamiltonian is solely focused on doing his role well and the rest will take care of itself.
"There is obviously a lot of excitement around the week, but the focus is in nailing my role in the team," Tupaea says.
"The focus is on myself and what I can do, and I'm sure it will be a pretty special moment on Saturday.
"It's been a bit of a crazy two weeks, being with the Maori and then coming into here.
"I'm super-excited and grateful to be in this environment, and to get a start is something pretty special."
Saturday's test could be a sneak peek into the future of the All Blacks midfield, with just one test shared between the pair as a centre or second-five.
Despite Ioane's relative experience at the international level with 33 caps, the 24-year-old has only played one of those at centre - the 2020 Bledisloe Cup test draw against the Wallabies in Wellington.
Ioane is excited about the fresh pairing and what they might produce.
"When it comes to the midfield, I only have one cap more than Quinn, but the first time coming into camp, you expect everyone to just do their role and not focus on much more than that.
"This week is all about building combinations and Quinn likes to do certain things that other 12s don't, so it's all about being able to adapt.
"We are both pretty excited about this opportunity on Saturday."
For Tupaea, what comes before the All Blacks take the field on Saturday night will be just as special.
The Māori All Blacks play Manu Samoa in the second of two matches, and Tupaea says it will be an "awesome" moment watching them take the field.
"They are playing before us and it will be a special moment for them. I have a strong connection with the boys there, having played a few games with them, so it's going to be awesome to watch them in action."
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Tonga
