Wallabies prop Ben Alexander hopes the biggest game of his life will kick-start the most successful period of his career as he chases Super Rugby and Test glory.
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Alexander will become just the fourth prop in Wallabies history to play 50 Tests when he runs out against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday night.
It comes five years after being plucked from obscurity to make his international debut, having played just six games from the ACT Brumbies bench.
But after helping the Brumbies and Wallabies through some of their darkest days, Alexander says it's time for success.
The Wallabies need to beat the Lions to stay alive in the three-Test series.
Alexander wants a series victory before returning to Canberra to play a crucial role in the Brumbies' Super Rugby title ambitions.
''Ask anyone who retires; they don't look back on their 50th Test and say it's a highlight,'' Alexander said. ''It's the Super Rugby finals, the Bledisloe Cup, World Cups or Lions series. That's what you play rugby for, not the personal milestones.
''I haven't won a whole lot. I've been a part of some good wins and played in some big games. But this is the biggest game of my life and I haven't won anything of any substance … I'm really, really desperate for that.''
Alexander has been a mainstay in the Wallabies pack since making his debut in 2008.
But being axed from the Test side for the opening Bledisloe Cup match last year reignited Alexander's hunger.
''No one likes being left out, but it wasn't panic stations [when I was dropped],'' Alexander said.
''I just knew I had to keep working, I couldn't drop my bundle. I got a start the next week and then managed to stay in the team. Not everything goes your way and you have to cop it.''
The 28-year-old is the first to admit he wasted chances as a junior.
''I had to pull my finger out and really have a crack,'' Alexander said.
Alexander has re-signed with the Brumbies and the ARU until after the 2015 World Cup.
He's just the 38th player to reach 50 Tests for the Wallabies and when he packs down next to Stephen Moore and Benn Robinson at Etihad Stadium, it will be the first time all three Australian front-rowers boast at least 50 caps.
There was a time when his parents had to put padlocks on the food cupboards. ''I was about 14 or 15 when they had to lock the food up. Mum and dad used to tease me, they'd call me Old Lobby because I used to lob around the field because I was so fat and my legs would rub together.''
