Josh Townsend usually prepares the ACT Brumbies' kit for the weekend. Now he dons the jersey himself.
Townsend has been thrust into the second-row, named to start in Sunday's Super Rugby AUS clash against the NSW Waratahs.
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"It's been a pretty special last couple of weeks," Townsend told the media.
"I got the call from [assistant coach] Dan Hooper with 'Bernie' [Stephen Larkham] away and it was very special, over the moon about it."
The 33-year-old has toiled away for Queanbeyan Whites in the John I Dent Cup, playing over 100 games for the club across a decade as the lock emerged as one of the best in the competition.
He was named 2023 ACT Rep Player of the Year and partnered Wallaby Nick Frost to get the Whites to this year's decider.
All the while, Townsend has helped the Brumbies squad prepare each week as assistant Team Manager.
His normal role includes helping set up and adjust training, whilst also getting the change rooms and kits prepared for the week ahead.
But with Lachlan Shaw on Wallabies duties and Frost unavailable this week due to prior commitments, coach Stephen Larkham knew the best option was within the four walls.
“'Towny' has been the form second rower for a number of years now. He’s been working with us as assistant manager here [but] we couldn’t overlook him because of his performances through John I Dent," Larkham said.
“I’m excited to see how he goes and there was a bit of hoopla with the players [Tuesday] when we announced the team and his name came up....He’s very analytical. He knows the game back to front and I'm sure he'll help him in that aspect.”
Townsend has jumped into training sessions in the past when there's been an injury, or they've been short second-rowers.
The chance to live out his own dream left the lock speechless.
"You always hope, but sometimes these types of dreams seem unattainable," he said.
"...It is a little bit weird [jumping in]. Even little things like the warm-up, the boys would just cheer me on. It was so embarrassing, but the more you do, the less that happens and it becomes a bit more normal, which is a bit better.
"The boys have been so good to me, so I really want to put my best foot forward but at the same time, to potentially wear the jersey is something really special and something I'll never forget."
Townsend will have plenty of support in Bungendore on Sunday, most notably his brother Nick.
"My brother Nick is non-verbal; he's got special needs, but he loves the footy," the bloke explained.
"'Wrighty' [Tom Wright] gave him some Wallabies kit last year and he constantly wears that.
"Now, he just wears the Brumbies stuff for me, so he's a pretty excited young man."
The news of Townsend's selection was met with raucous applause from the Brumbies squad.
Captain Toby Macpherson, who will partner Townsend in the locks, believes the selection is a long time coming for the smashing smiling second-rower.
“He was great in the John I Dent Cup and certainly everyone knew that he’s a very capable player but I think he’s definitely surprised everyone with his physicality because he’s just one of those blokes who can just hit," the skipper noted.
“I think everyone's really excited to play with him because he is such a genuinely nice guy and good guy, but I think you can expect a different beast with him on the field.
“It's exciting for blokes like that to get an opportunity to come into the squad and show what they can do at this level.”
