Newly re-signed playmaker Wharenui Hawera says he will relish the chance to work with Christian Lealiifano after agreeing to a two-year deal, even if that means battling the inspirational leader for selection.
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Hawera was given a last-round boost on the eve of a Hamilton homecoming, finalising a contract to compete with Lealiifano and stay in Canberra until at least 2019.
The 24-year-old has invited more than 50 family and friends to the ACT Brumbies' last game of the Super Rugby season against his junior club, the Waikato Chiefs.
His job as the Brumbies flyhalf will divide family loyalties after growing up idolising the Chiefs and dreaming of playing for the powerful New Zealand franchise.
But Hawera is set to face a different sort of challenge in the coming weeks with Lealiifano nearing a return 11 months after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
The pair have worked together this season, with Lealiifano taking Hawera under his wing in a mentoring role while he was unable to play.
Lealiifano could be cleared to make a comeback when the Brumbies host a quarter-final at Canberra Stadium on Friday night and is set for a duel with Hawera for chief playmaker duties.
"Christian has been massive for me," Hawera said.
"Even before I met him, he had already sent me a few text messages about happy he was for me to be joining the Brumbies.
"I'd heard a lot about him before I met him. But he's always shown a massive amount of belief in me.
"It's great to have him back as another player, but not just that. He's a friend and whenever I've had problems, he's always been there to help or offer me to come around for dinner.
"That's just Christian. He's been more of a friend than anything. Christian goes that extra mile for you.
"If Christian comes back next week or if I'm playing behind next year, I really don't mind. I know I'll learn a lot off him and I'm really looking for to that. Having him playing will only make me better."
Hawera is one of just three Brumbies retained in the starting XV last week, making him one of two players to have started in every game this season.
It's a remarkable feat for a man who was largely unknown when the Brumbies plucked him out of New Zealand's provincial competition and offered him a chance to train in Canberra.
Hawera excelled and has been solid in guiding the Brumbies into the finals, but he's on a hometown mission against the Chiefs before the play-offs begin next week.
Hawera grew up in the city and watched the likes of Mils Muliana, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Liam Messam dominate Super Rugby.
He played 22 games in four years for Waikato's provincial team and his aunts will be wearing Chiefs colours in the crowd when he returns as the enemy.
"I remember looking at the draw at the start of the year and thinking if there's one game I want to play, it's this one," Hawera said.
"I'm stoked to be back here and play in front of my mum and dad. They've been to all of our New Zealand games this year ... it's going back to where it all started for me.
"It can be pretty tough to get tickets in Hamilton. I got 20 off [Brumbies teammates] but there's another 30 of family and friends who have bought them.
"I'm excited and I guess a bit nervous because they will be there. I want to play well in front of them, that's the main thing for me.
"A couple of my aunties are Chiefs season members, so I'll be surprised if they cheer us. But as long as mum and dad aren't wearing Chiefs colours, I'll be happy."
The Brumbies haven't won in New Zealand since round four in 2014, but they have a Kiwi flavour they hope will help end the streak.
Hawera, Nic Mayhew, Jarrad Butler, Nigel Ah Wong and Lolo Fakaosilea were all born in New Zealand while hooker Robbie Abel has Maori heritage and Henry Speight played for the Waikato provincial team.
The Brumbies have made 12 changes to their starting XV for the clash against the Chiefs, but four of those were forced by injuries.
The Chiefs are also resting three of their stars who have just finished a draining series against the British and Irish Lions, with the Super Rugby finals series looming.
The Brumbies will play either the Chiefs or the Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium on Friday night as they launch their championship bid.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 17
Saturday: Waikato Chiefs v ACT Brumbies at Hamilton, New Zealand, 3.15pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 1.
Brumbies team: 15. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Nigel Ah Wong, 12. Andrew Smith, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Lolo Fakaosilea, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy (c), 5. Blake Enever, 4. Tom Staniforth, 3. Leslie Leuluailii-Makin, 2. Robbie Abel, 1. Nic Mayhew. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Ben Alexander, 19. Ben Hyne, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Jordan Smiler, 22. Ryan Lonergan, 23. Tom Banks.
Chiefs team: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Solomon Alaimalo, 13. Alex Nankivell, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 11. James Lowe, 10. Aaron Cruden (c), 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8. Michael Leitch, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 6. Liam Messam, 5. Mitchell Brown, 4. Michael Allardice, 3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Nathan Harris, 1. Kane Hames. Reserves: 16. Liam Polwart, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Tom Sanders, 20. Mitchell Karpik, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Stephen Donald, 23. Shaun Stevenson.
