Two boys from Minto on opposite sides of the world chasing the dreams they talked about as Housing Commission kids: Krisnan Inu says Jarryd Hayne's punt on the NFL has added motivation to his French rugby union mission.
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But when they were growing up in the same neighbourhood, Inu said the plan was for both of them to end up in the United States trying to break new ground in the NFL.
Inu played a key role in Hayne's defection from Parramatta to attempt to break into the NFL last month, with the two-time Dally M medallist confiding in Inu about his American ambition.
Just a couple of months earlier it was Inu who confided in Hayne about his impending switch from the Canterbury Bulldogs to rugby club Stade Francais in Paris.
They're two giant leaps out of the NRL comfort zone, but Inu says their tough childhood has steeled them for the biggest challenge of their lives.
"When I was making my decision I spoke to him … it made my decision 10 times easier," Inu said.
"I said the same thing to Jarryd when he asked me. It wasn't an overnight thing for him, we've been speaking about it for a while.
"We'd say, 'imagine if we went overseas and played NFL together'. We always talked about it as kids … I thought one or both of us would end up there. I had a feeling it would happen.
"There was just something special about the way we grew up. It wasn't the high life, it wasn't every kid's dream with everything given to us. We made our own fun, we made life more enjoyable for ourselves.
"That's what's helped us get to where we are now, that's made us humble. We had to work for what we had."
Hayne is settling into his US base and is ready to launch his NFL bid.
When he announced his decision to leave Parramatta and rugby league, he broke down in tears when talking about two of the biggest influences on his life: his mum, Jodie, and Inu.
Inu had planned to visit Hayne in the US this week, but instead stayed in Paris to catch up with Wallabies players before their Test against France, taking Israel Folau and teammates to dinner.
He was also invited by coach Michael Cheika to train with the Wallabies on Thursday to get a taste of international rugby.
But does the fire still burn bright for Inu to join Hayne in a bid to crack the NFL?
"I'm at the age that if I made that decision it would have to be tomorrow, but I'm happy in France and really enjoying my time at Stade," Inu said.
"[Hayne] has opened the door for players, though, and I think there will be more American scouts looking. But Jarryd is a special player, a one-of-a-kind.
"I think he can change the way they play the game with the way he runs and carries the ball.
"I'll go over to visit and have a kick and throw the football with him, but I won't be chasing contracts. I'm just looking forward to supporting the brother."
Inu is three months into his rugby union journey, immersing himself in French life and trying to learn the language in Paris.
He spent his first few weeks living with former Wallaby and Stade Francais teammate Digby Ioane to help him settle in has slotted into the line-up.
The former Eel, New Zealand Warrior and Bulldog has been trialled as a winger, fullback and centre, with the long-term view that he can be a defensive weapon in Stade Francais' midfield.
The 27-year-old is loving the chance to test himself in a new game, revealing he played rugby with Hayne, Kris Keating and Trent Hodkinson when they were at school together.
"But it was mainly just so we got more days out of class, it was good fun," Inu grinned.
"It's something new, it's always been in my mind to have a shot at rugby before my career ended as an athlete.
"To have a chance to come now, it was something I prayed for. I knew it was the right thing for me. I knew one day I'd regret it if I didn't have a shot at playing rugby.
"I'm still trying to adjust in remembering I don't have to run back 10 metres every time I tackle someone. I'm just taking baby steps at the moment."
Inu enjoyed the sight of familiar faces this week, watching on at Wallabies training and taking some of the players around his new stamping ground in Paris.
He also spoke to Wallabies coach Cheika about the Test team and Cheika's stint at Stade Francais.
His mid-season move to rugby meant he had to watch on as his Bulldogs teammates went on a late-season charge before losing the grand final to South Sydney.
But having lost grand finals in 2009 (Parramatta), 2011 (Warriors) and 2012 (Bulldogs), Inu said he had no regrets about missing another chance at premiership glory.
"I had faith they would go all the way, I know there were doubters about the Dogs. As much as I wish I was part of it all, I've had my time. I was feeling the pain for them."
