Scott Sio arrived deep in the Northern Territory like a giant from another world, but the budding ACT Brumbies prop left Jabiru Area School as king of the kids yesterday.
Far away from his dream of making his Super Rugby debut, Sio ventured into the humid Top End outback and the students were stunned with his size and power.
They'd never seen anything like the 187cm, 116kg Samoan monster.
There's little to do in Jabiru other than fish or play Australian football. The nearest rugby union competition is a two-hour drive away.
But Sio's powerfully-built frame was an instant hit and the 20-year-old said seeing the smiling faces put his rugby career in perspective.
''It's good to get back to your roots ... it's a lot harder for kids up this way and it makes sure you don't take it for granted,'' Sio said.
''Coming up here makes you really appreciate what you have and it shows how hard these people work without having the resources we do on the east coast.
''These sort of trips for rugby players makes you appreciate what you have and make you want to work harder.
''You can appreciate what they do and the kids are great at schools like this, they love learning and it's great to show them a bit of rugby.''
The Brumbies immersed themselves in the Northern Territory culture in their five-day visit.
While Sio and Zack Holmes drove to Jabiru yesterday, Jono Owen went to the Tiwi Islands and Anthony Hegarty travelled to Gove.
The players visited hospitals, schools and the Don James Juvenille Correction Facility to try to help put some youths on the right track.
It could provide the inspiration Sio needs to have a stellar Brumbies debut this weekend.
With Jerry Yanuyanutawa still recovering from concussion, extended player squad front-rower Sio will likely be called into the squad to play the Queensland Reds in Cairns.
Sio's versatility makes him an attractive option for coach Jake White.
But before he gets thrown into Super Rugby action, Sio got up close with some salt-water crocodiles.
Prior to arriving in Jabiru, Holmes and Sio jumped on a boat and went up the Adelaide River in croc-infested waters.
Sio has Samoan heritage, but has spent most of his life rising through Sydney's rugby ranks.
So it was understandable the former Australian under-20s representative got a shock when the first crocodile leapt into the air to snatch a piece of pork.
''Seeing those crocs was something I really wanted to do and I didn't know what was going to happen,'' Sio said.
''We started off with a small one and then they started coming all shapes and sizes.
''I've seen them in the zoo before, but never up so close in the wild.''
This reporter is on Twitter: @blockadutton
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