Melbourne Rebels prop Pone Fa'amausili has credited a unique return to clubland as inspiration for his breakout performance for the Wallabies against the All Blacks.
Fa'amausili impressed during his maiden start as Eddie Jones' men went down 23-20 to their Kiwi counterparts, delivering some impactful touches through his hour-long shift.
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“It’s remarkable what he has done," Jones said after the match.
“He’s a guy who was playing maximum 10-15 minutes of Super Rugby and not well. He’s come out here in a Test match against New Zealand and played 60 minutes and acquitted himself really well."
It's a fascinating rise for the tight-head prop, who only started once for the Rebels in 2023.
Fa'amausili found himself overlooked of the Wallabies squad for the opening two games of the Rugby Championship after emerging as a regular under Dave Rennie.
Instead of testing himself at the front of the scrum, Fa'amausili suddenly found himself playing number eight for club side Moorabbin.
“It was a bit of fun just finding the love of the game again,” Fa’amausili explained.
“Obviously I got dropped and didn’t make the squad to go South Africa but I’ve found a bit of love playing with good mates and just enjoying a bit of club footy.”
Fa’amausili crossed the line, although it wasn't enough to power the Rams home over Melbourne Unicorns, who went down 45-29.
However, it was enough to earn a recall when Jones rushed Fa'amausili into the squad for the Argentina Test in place of Taniela Tupou, who headed to Tonga instead with Australia A.
From there, injuries to Allan Alaalatoa (Achilles) and Tupou (ribs) suddenly found the 26-year-old as the first-choice tighthead prop for the second Bledisloe Test.
Fa'amausili made good use of the opportunity, producing a dominant display that has all but secured his spot in Jones' 33-player squad for the World Cup set to be named on Thursday.
“You never wish upon your best mates or teammates to get injured with Al (Alaalatoa) last week, but obviously got the start with ‘Nela’ going down as well during the week and I had to step up,” Fa’amausili said.
“I took it with both hands and really dialled into my prep this week and had a lot of boys put the faith in me during the weekend and get around me.
“I was really keen this weekend to get on and work hard for the boys because obviously, some people thought that I didn’t have it in me with (lack of) minutes with the Rebels coming off the bench.
“I was really stoked to get the start and obviously play those minutes that I did today.”
Fa'amausili credits the stint with Moorabbin with reigniting his passion for the game along with some encouraging words from Jones.
It's led to a change in mindset that has Fa'amausili starting to deliver on his potential he believes.
“I feel like I’ve always had it. It’s just the mindset,” he believes.
“I’ve put it into training, trialling it with a mindset shift and I put it onto the paddock tonight.
“…Little micro chats on the field have helped me. (Eddie’s) obviously was not in my ear on the field, but the boys got around me because I’ve let them know as well that when I’m fatigued I need this and that.
“That’s passed down now and as long as there is someone telling me to keep going and pushing me, I think I can play as long as I want."
Rennie said the Rebel was the closest he had seen to Tupou and the 26-year-old recognised the opportunity presented to him to join his new club teammate as a deadly one-two punch for the World Cup.
“This is the opportunity I've needed to make a statement to get into the squad going to France and now hopefully I can what my performance has done that tonight,” Fa'amausili added.
