Rory Arnold was overweight, had his arm in a sling and wasn't sure if he could afford to pay for shoulder surgery when he walked into his first meeting with the ACT Brumbies.
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What happened next changed his life. The Brumbies saw what no one else did, which is surprising given Arnold is 208 centimetres of pure aggression.
Arnold says that kind of faith is the reason why a group of nine departing players feel like they owe everything to the club they call a family.
But their message before their quarter-final clash against the Durban Sharks is simple: "This isn't the end, we're just getting started."
The Brumbies will say goodbye to some of their biggest names in the coming weeks. Christian Lealiifano, Henry Speight, Arnold, Sam Carter and David Pocock among others.
Their farewell tour will continue if they beat the Sharks and they could earn the right to play in Canberra next week if the Waikato Chiefs beat the Argentina Jaguares on Saturday morning.
"There is always sadness. It will be weird not talking to Carts all week or David Pocock," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
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"We've spoken a lot about creating memories and enjoying our time together. We can't take it for granted. But we also have guys who are ready to step up and take over."
Carter added: "It's not over for us, we're not thinking about farewells. We've got momentum. For us, we're just getting started."
RORY ARNOLD
Arnold has taken time to reflect on his rise from a sugar mill worker to the best second-rower in Australia.
"I had a busted shoulder and didn't have private health cover. I had to get a credit card just to pay for the operation," Arnold said.
"I got my body right and lost a bit of weight, the next thing I know I'm playing Super Rugby. It's a bit of a fairytale, it's changed my life. And it all comes back to the opportunity the Brumbies gave me," Arnold said.
"A lot of players here are the leftovers from other states but they found a home in Canberra. It's been a crazy journey for me."
SAM CARTER
Carter will move his career to Ireland at the end of the season after signing a deal to join Ulster.
The hard-working and largely under-rated lock was on the verge of joining the NSW Waratahs academy program in 2011 when his dad, former Wallaby David Carter, stepped in.
"Mum and dad told me to go to Canberra and prove myself. It's the best decision I've ever made," Carter said.
"I was always a Waratahs fan growing up. But now looking back I can't think of anything better than coming to the Brumbies.
"The one thing I love the most about Canberra and the Brumbies is that it gives people a chance to prove something.
"The club is built on that. It creates an awesome environment of competitiveness because blokes come down here for a crack after being humbled elsewhere.
"I can't thank the Brumbies and Canberra enough for what they've done for me."
HENRY SPEIGHT
Winger Speight arrived as a softly-spoken Fijian who could run like the wind when he joined the Brumbies in the same year as Carter.
Speight had been playing for Waikato in the New Zealand development competition when he met Lealiifano, who saw raw talent and electric speed.
The Brumbies recruited Speight on Lealiifano's advice and the 31-year-old has developed into a 'bro with the fro' cult hero in Canberra.
"If it wasn't for Christian, I wouldn't be here. The Brumbies are close to my heart. I love this club and I love this city, I'm a Canberran," an emotional Speight said.
"They gave me an opportunity for a better life. Trying to speak about it pulls on my heart strings."
Speight will make his comeback from a foot injury this week to bolster the Brumbies for the finals. He paid tribute to Andy Muirhead, who has been left out of the squad to make way for Speight's return.
"He even offered me his No. 14 Pasifika jersey from last week. That was special but I politely declined. It's humbling, that was such a nice gesture and says a lot about Andy," Speight said.
"I'm grateful for this opportunity, but hopefully it's not the last. We've talked about reaching base camp with finals, but now we're starting our climb. This week is the start of what we've been looking forward to."
CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO
The inspirational skipper is often described as the heartbeat of the Brumbies. He was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016, but he never stopped being a Brumbies leader even though he was told he may never play again.
"When I started [in 2008] everyone was looking for the next Stephen Larkham. I'm not the next Stephen Larkham, but I got an opportunity and the club has been fantastic," Lealiifano said.
"I'm feeling sad about leaving. But I'm comfortable it's time for me to do something new. The friendships I made, I'll cherish forever. This place means so much to me."
Pocock, who has been ruled out for the rest of the year but is still riding the finals wave, described Lealiifano as the Brumbies' inspiration. The pair have played together since they were teenagers and it's fitting they finish at the same time.
"Someone like Christian, who has played his whole career here, he is the heart and soul of the current Brumbies team. You [as players] want to send him off on a good note," Pocock said.
SUPER RUGBY QUARTER-FINAL
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Durban Sharks at Canberra Stadium, 8.05pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Leaiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight. 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Les Leulualiaali-Makin, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Jahrome Brown, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Tom Wright.