Recommended to the ACT Brumbies by George Smith, powerful recruit Fotu Auelua has arrived in Canberra with the advice of the champion flanker still ringing in his ears.
Auelua, now 28, says he only has himself to blame for having never made his Super Rugby debut.
But after playing with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Tana Umaga and Smith at French club Toulon for the past four years, the 115kg forward says he's finally ready to unleash his potential in Canberra.
''I spoke to [Smith] about it before when I had the opportunity to come here, I thought I don't want to finish my career and wonder 'what if','' Auelua said of his two-year contract with the Brumbies. ''I'm here now to give it a shot.''
As a junior, Auelua was tipped to be rugby's next big thing, like so many are. Raised in Campbelltown, he played junior rugby league with the Parramatta Eels, represented the Australian Schoolboys at rugby union and was drafted into the NSW Waratahs system under Ewen McKenzie.
He was cut by the Tahs in 2006, and deservedly so he admits.
''I was my own worst enemy at the time,'' Auelua says. ''They let me go and that was my fault. I lived in Campbelltown, I couldn't rock up to training. Mentally, I gave in, I didn't really stand up and fight for myself. I didn't want it enough. Now I do.
''If I could look back at 2006 and put myself in that environment again, things could have been different. But things happen for a reason.''
Auelua claims he turned things around in France. He comes to Canberra with his partner and two children, Noah, 8 and Maddax, 4.
If he fails this time, Auelua says, he fails his family.
Auelua spent a lot of his time at Toulon playing as a rampaging centre, in the mould of Sonny Bill Williams.
But even then, Auelua said he sought advice from Smith about playing in the forwards at his preferred position of No8.
''He's been great to me on and off the field,'' Auelua said of Smith. ''I didn't really get to play in the forwards with him, but I was always trying to learn from him and what's expected when I arrived here.
''He really pushed me hard in terms of learning stuff about the back row. He took the time to work with the younger players as well, so it was a great experience.
''I keep in contact with him, he's been a great friend of mine and more of a mentor for me. Being in a professional environment overseas and seeing players that have succeeded come to Toulon, made me think I wanted to be a part of that as well. It's everything I've dreamed of as a kid, to play Super Rugby. Now I've got the opportunity, I've got to make the most of it.''
Auelua's late arrival in Canberra was due to a standing contract with his Japanese club, NTT Communications. He is also recovering from a knee injury.
His bullocking runs and long hair have the potential to make him a Canberra cult hero, but Auelua says he first needs to earn the respect of his new teammates.
''It was frustrating at times [being in Japan] knowing the boys were here putting in the hard yards, but I've arrived now and I'm ready to put my head down,'' he says.
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