Reece Tapine had just finished another week of his refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeship when his phone rang.
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It was Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
A lengthy phone interview followed, and within 24 hours he'd been offered a one-year deal to join the Super Rugby AU champions.
In a year most Australians have spent without their usual social freedoms, it was the shiniest of silver linings for the supremely talented outside back.
"It was pretty crazy, I was finished work on a Friday, got a call from Dan and basically had a 20 minute interview," Tapine said.
"I was just telling him a bit about myself, where I've from, where I've played. That was unreal, it was out of the blue. I was just trying to play rugby."
Tapine wasn't even supposed to be playing rugby union this year.
He'd just finished preseason with his Queensland Cup side the Burleigh Bears, then turned up to training one day and was told the state's premier rugby league competition had been abandoned due to COVID-19.
Not wanting to sit idly for an entire year, Tapine continued training at home and took the opportunity to play for Norths Eagles in Brisbane's local rugby union competition when it presented itself.
Almost instantly he build a reputation as a fearsome ball runner capable of monstering opponents in defence, and soon enough he was on McKellar's radar.
"I used to get changed in a tin shed then go out and play," Tapine said.
"This is unreal - having the facilities likes ice baths and saunas to recover, I feel like that's a crucial part of being a professional player and being able to utilise those things is definitely good.
"This is not what I'm used to, it's so professional and I'm just so happy to be here, follow the boys and do what I can to be the best player I can be."
MORE CANBERRA RUGBY
Tapine was unveiled as the Brumbies latest backline signing on Tuesday. The club also announced Eastern Suburbs tighthead prop Archer Holz had signed on after starring in this year's Shute Shield in Sydney.
Former Wallaby Dan Palmer is also set to be announced as set-piece coach next week, returning to the club he played for 32 times at Super Rugby level.
"After chatting to Dan, I think the Brumbies is where I need to be right now for my development," Tapine said.
"I was actually here a week earlier so I chatted to him on Friday about expectations of the club and what he needs from me and stuff like that.
"Everyone has been very welcoming so far, and I'm looking forward to ripping into preseason. Second day today it was definitely a brutal session for me, it's good.
"I was still training up there and doing a bit of running on my own, it was good to stay fit."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
