First there was shock, then pride and now the determination to compete what would be one of the most remarkable stories in World Cup history.
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But ACT Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano says being invited to Wallabies camp for the first time since he was diagnosed with leukaemia was just a small step towards his goal.
The next challenge is leading the Brumbies to the Super Rugby finals and then playing well enough to put himself in contention for a Wallabies recall after a life-changing cancer diagnosis in 2016.
Lealiifano has steadily rebuilt his body, mind and rugby physique in the past three years, starting with chemotherapy and then a bone-marrow transplant.
The chance to play for Australia again would be a fairytale end to an inspirational story, but even Lealiifano was shocked when the email landed in his inbox with details of the Wallabies most recent camp.
"I was surprised because I wasn't expecting anything like that, my main focus has been at the Brumbies and I'm enjoying that," Lealiifano.
"I'm really proud of the journey I've been on over the last few years to be able to get that recognition later in my career ... I didn't really know how to feel. I'd probably had minimal contact [with the Wallabies]. It was nice there was some good news, I was stoked to be there.
BRUMBIES NEWS
"I got so close [to being picked for the World Cup in 2015] and you can get close again and miss out. So I'm wary of that, not to get too excited. But now it is a little bit real that if you keep playing well, you'll be in and around [the Wallabies]. So that's my main focus, to continue playing well here and to go with the momentum with Brumbies and see how we go at the back end."
The race for Australia's guaranteed play-off spot will add to competition for Wallabies spots as the Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs compete for top of the conference honours. The Queensland Reds are also lurking not far behind.
Test coach Michael Cheika will closely monitor individual form over the last month of the regular season and Lealiifano has rocketed into contention after helping the Brumbies to move up the ladder.
They will get a chance to keep their position when they play the Pretoria Bulls at Canberra Stadium on Friday night and they will be chasing their sixth consecutive win at home.
Lealiifano, who is off contract and yet to decide if he will stay in Australia after this year, has been working to get back to his best after being diagnosed with leukaemia in August, 2016.
Since then he's had a bone-marrow transplant, gone into remission, made his rugby comeback and doctors have been so impressed with his recovery his regular check-ups are becoming less and less regular.
"I definitely feel a lot better, I feel back to full health," Lealiifano said.
"Last year I probably felt as good as I could have, but I still battled a bit throughout and my playing probably showed that. I couldn't do what I wanted to do on the field.
"Being out there was an accomplishment enough. But now to have another year under my belt, to feel as healthy as I have been ... I'm holding weight a lot easier and being able to do what I want to do.
"To have the fitness to do that as well, I definitely feel like I'm playing as good as I have since I was sick. I feel like I am back now."
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "Just really proud of [him], he works hard and he's performed consistently well. He's been outstanding for us this year, defensively very good and that was probably an area last year he wanted to improve."
"But he's bigger, stronger, a little bit heavier, more robust in contact and still really sharp in attack. It's good to see him in there and hopefully he picks up a World Cup."
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "Just really proud of [him], he works hard and he's performed consistently well. He's been outstanding for us this year, defensively very good and that was probably an area last year he wanted to improve.
"But he's bigger, stronger, a little bit heavier, more robust in contact and still really sharp in attack. It's good to see him in there and hopefully he picks up a World Cup."
The sight of Lealiifano's smiling face was a welcome one for Wallabies players, particularly after the drama that engulfed Rugby Australia following Israel Folau's homophobic social media posts.
"It was unreal. He brings such a positive energy to any group he's a part of and you can see the effect he has on the group.
"He's been around for such a long time, his professionalism is sometimes overlooked because of his kind and humourous nature. He's definitely one of the hardest working players I've had the pleasure of playing with and someone I've tried to model my preparation on.
"The great thing is his attitude - saying 'I'm going to go about the day the way I want to, to live my life the way I want to'. He's worked really hard to put himself in this position."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 15
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Pretoria Bulls at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available at Ticketek.
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Tom Cusack, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Murray Douglas, 21. Rob Valetini, 22. Ryan Lonergan 23. Tom Wright.
Bulls: 1. Lizo Gqoboka, 2. Schalk Britz, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 4. Jason Jenkins, 5. RG Snyman, 6. Paul Schoeman, 7. Handro Liebenberg, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Andre WArner, 10. Manie Libbok, 11. Rosko Specman, 12. Burger Odendaal, 13. Johnny Kotze, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 15. Warrick Gelant. Reserves: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Wiehan Herbst, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. JT Jackson, 23. Divan Rossouw.
