Solomone Kata is the first to admit he lost his way.
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"The fame went to my head," Kata says. "I needed to go back to where I came from."
That's why his ACT Brumbies debut on Friday night is more than a one-on-one duel with Henry Speight, the man Kata describes as a "legend".
It's a chance for the former NRL try-scoring beast to go back to his rugby union roots and hopefully reignite his career.
Kata is one of four Brumbies making their Super Rugby debut in the clash against Queensland Reds in the season-opener.
The Brumbies invited families of new players into the change rooms on Thursday to present jerseys. Kata's partner Malia and two-year-old daughter Si'i arrived in Canberra just in time to join the party.
Kata has the job of filling the No. 14 jersey Speight wore for almost 10 years before leaving Canberra at the end of last season.
Lining up against Reds recruit Speight is the perfect opportunity to announce his arrival after five years as a rugby league player.
Deep down Kata has always harboured a love of rugby because it was his sport of choice at school.
But it took a downward spiral for the Tongan and New Zealand international to realise he needed a change.
The 25-year-old scored 46 tries in his 93 games for the New Zealand Warriors. He appeared set for a career as one of the most destructive centres in the NRL.
Off the field, however, his standards were slipping. Which is why he now has a tattoo of Jesus on his right forearm.
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"When something's not going your way ... I realised how much I went away from what I knew, I forgot where I came from," Kata said.
"I had the skills. But my religion was the only thing that got me where I was, because of his blessing, and I forgot that.
"I was going to nightclubs and drinking too much.
"But this tattoo is a reminder for me that I'm lucky to be playing. Every time I look at it, it takes me back to where I came from."
The Brumbies-Reds match will be a changing of the guard for the ACT team. Speight, David Pocock, Christian Lealiifano, Sam Carter and Rory Arnold were among the players who left Canberra at the end of last year.
Speight was a Brumbies fan favourite. His afro was instantly recognisable, scoring 46 tries in his 122 games.
Kata is the new face of the right wing. A powerfully-built wrecking ball who is almost always breaks the first tackle, which is exactly what Speight did.
"My first goal to [was to play] in round one," Kata said.
"I watched [Speight]. To be honest, he's a legend of the game. But it's good to come up against a player like him. I respect him, I know what he can do. It's a good test."
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said he picked Kata for round one because of his game-breaking ability.
"Big, powerful, dynamic. He's going to cause some stress to most defensive lines this year," McKellar said.
"He's worked hard, I don't think he's missed a training session and transitioned back into rugby nicely. He's earnt it.
"[Kata and Speight] will challenge each other. It will be said to see [Speight] in a Reds jersey, but Sol will keep him honest."
McKellar also turned up the heat on the Reds, swatting away the suggestion the Queensland side can be considered "young".
All Super Rugby franchises are coping with player turnover in the post World Cup year. The Reds have been hit as well, losing leader Samu Kerevi to Japan.
"They've been young for a while now, haven't they? Those young boys must be getting older, surely," McKellar said when asked about the Reds.
"They've been around playing Super Rugby for a while now. I think we can park the 'young' tag with the Reds.
"They've got a core group of boys that have been around for a while now, I'm sure they have high expectations about winning the Australian conference."
The Reds haven't won in Canberra since 2014, but have been bolstered by Speight's arrival and the return of James O'Connor.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Solomone Kata, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. James Slipper, 19. Caderyn Neville, 20. Will Miller, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Reds: 1. JP Smith, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (capt), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Isaac Lucas, 11. Henry Speight, 12. James O'Connor, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Bryce Hegarty. Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Izack Rodda, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Hunter Paisami.