So much has changed since Folau Faingaa's last game for the Canberra Vikings, but the one-Test hooker says he'll throw himself into the National Rugby Championship on Saturday with the same fearless approach.
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Faingaa won the Shawn Mackay most outstanding young talent award at the ACT Brumbies end of year function on Friday night, continuing a whirlwind week that started with his Wallabies debut in Auckland.
The next challenge will be backing up in the first game of the NRC season when the Vikings play Queensland Country in a grand final re-match at Viking Park.
It would be easy for Faingaa to take his footy of the pedal after an unexpected rise into Wallabies gold. But if anyone knows the power of the NRC, it's Faingaa because the competition launched his career.
Faingaa arrived in Canberra 12 months ago to take a chance on an extended player squad contract with the Brumbies and used the NRC to edge closer to a shock Super Rugby debut.
Within a couple of months he was called into a Wallabies training squad. Within six months he made his Brumbies debut. Next was hist first Wallabies cap off the bench in the Bledisloe Cup.
"We've got a new group at the Vikings, this is where it started for me so I'm keen to hit the ground running," Faingaa said.
"And nothing changes for me. Not one bit. It will be the same mind set and the same everything for me. Whatever I do in the NRC is to build a performance for next year and to push my selection for the international side.
"For me, there's a lot to work on still. I want to keep building on what I have to [improve] on.
Faingaa didn't find out about his Wallabies debut until coach Michael Cheika revealed the side in a team meeting in New Zealand.
"It's probably lucky he did that because I would have been nervous the whole week," Faingaa grinned.
The 23-year-old is part of an emerging group of Brumbies who scooped the awards at the end of season presentation night.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa, 24, was rewarded for an ultra-consistent year, named the club's best forward.
Fullback Tom Banks, also 24, was named the best back and won the supporters choice award a week after making his Wallabies debut alongside Faingaa.
Faingaa got his Super Rugby chance when Josh Mann-Rea's hamstring snapped off the bone in March, opening the door for the hard-nosed rake to begin his career and he didn't look.
"Folau's aggressive, has a real confidence in his ability and the skills. It's hard to believe it was 15 or 16 months ago he first drove down here for a meeting and we spoke about the opportunity," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
"He's been a really good signing and addition to our team. If we can keep this core group of players together ... it's exciting times ahead for the Brumbies. We've just got to keep looking to improve and learn.
"There's no rocks and diamonds with Allan. The difference between his best and an average game is minimal. That's a really good thing to have.
"Banksy got a taste last year and he had some challenging periods this year, but he's a player who understands he belongs at this level and we're starting to see that."
Faingaa, Banks, Brumbies player of the year Rory Arnold and scrumhalf Joe Powell will all play for the Vikings on Saturday as they push their claims for Wallabies selection next week.
"I'm definitely hungry for more," Faingaa said. "But Queensland Country are going to be tough, they've gold old heads like [James Slipper] ... they've got a pretty handy team."
NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE
Saturday: Canberra Vikings v Queensland Country at Viking Park, 5pm. Entry is free.
Canberra Vikings: 1. Sione Taula 2. Folau Faingaa 3. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin 4. Rory Arnold 5. Darcy Swain 6. Blake Enever 7. Luke Kimber 8. Ben Hyne (c) 9. Joe Powell 10. Wharenui Hawera 11. Lausii Taliauli 12. Jordan Jackson-Hope 13. Len Ikitau 14. Andy Muirhead 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney 17. Vunipola Fifita 18. Tom Ross 19. BJ Edwards 20. Brodie Leber 21. Ryan Lonergan 22. Irae Simone 23. Chance Peni.
Queensland Country: 1. Harry Hoopert, 2. Alex Casey, 3. James Slipper, 4. Harry Hockings, 5. Angus Blyth, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Caleb Timu, 9. James Tuttle, 10. Hamish Stewart, 11. Joey Fittock, 12. Duncan Paiaaua, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Tom Lucas. Reserves: 16. Effi Maafu, 17. Richie Asiata, 18. Jake Simeon, 19. Rob Puluvea, 20. Tai Ford, 21. Harry Wilson, 22. Tate McDermott, 23. Patrick James.
BRETT ROBINSON AWARD WINNERS
Brett Robinson player’s player: Rory Arnold
Helen Taylor Super W player of the year: Georgia O'Neill
Shawn MacKay most outstanding young talent: Folau Faingaa
Super W rookie of the year: Michaela Leonard
Best forward: Allan Alaalatoa
Best back: Tom Banks
Supporters’ choice award: Tom Banks
Community player: Lachlan McCaffrey
Garry Quinlivan service to rugby: Craig Leseberg
