Canberra junior Tom Staniforth admits he thought his first Super Rugby game could also have been his last when he waited 700 days for another chance to play for the ACT Brumbies.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the powerfully-built lock says the painstaking process and uncertain period has made him hungrier to pursue his goals.
Staniforth's patience and persistence was rewarded on Thursday when he signed a new two-year deal with the Brumbies.
More good news is set to follow on Friday with the Brumbies working on deals for rookie Jordan Jackson-Hope and a host of emerging players.
Staniforth has muscled his way into the Brumbies' forward-pack rotation this season after watching from the sidelines for almost two years following his debut in 2014 when he was plucked from his job as a barman to play against the Queensland Reds.
The 21-year-old former Australian Under-20s and Australian schoolboys star revealed his ambition to play for the Wallabies, but says he's happy to serve his apprenticeship in Canberra before he starts dreaming of a gold jersey.
"To be able to re-sign with the Brumbies is a pretty big thing for me, I grew up idolising the club," Staniforth said.
"I'm like anyone, of course you'd love to play for the Wallabies. But for me that's down the track and I'm just focused on what my job here is at the Brumbies.
"There were a couple of points when I thought I might be done and wouldn't get another game, but I'm lucky that I'm not and I get more chances to represent the Brumbies."
It would have been easy for Staniforth to start feeling sorry for himself as he trained every day at Brumbies headquarters but was left out of the game-day team.
But the likeable Canberra Grammar student refused to let it get him down and the smile has never disappeared from his face.
"It was tough, but it gets put in reality when you see your mum, dad and brothers go to work in a suit and go to a real job," Staniforth said with a grin.
"I come in here to the Brumbies and lift weights and run around playing footy. Although I didn't get my Brumbies chance, I got to play for Royals and win a [Canberra] premiership.
"It was tough. But it's not tough at all compared to what other people have to do every day. I'd rather be doing this, definitely. It's footy to me, and I couldn't be happier to play for a living."
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is starting to build a team for the future as well as chasing an elusive Super Rugby title.
Staniforth joins Joe Powell and Allan Alaalatoa on new deals, while Australian Under-20s representative Jackson-Hope is on the verge of his first professional contract after making his debut last weekend.
The Brumbies have also lured Queensland Reds hooker Saia Faingaa back to Canberra on a one-year deal to replace Stephen Moore who leaves at the end of the season.
The Brumbies have got their season back on track after back-to-back wins against the Pretoria Bulls and the Melbourne Rebels.
They have a bye this weekend before playing the Japan Sunwolves at Canberra Stadium on May 28.
Staniforth played his first game of the season in round three and has kept his spot since.
"I always understood that I was really young when I got my first chance and it's making now a bit more special to have game time," Staniforth said.
"Having that time where I had to watch has made me cherish the opportunity even more now.
"This week off will help us mentally refresh, we've got things back on track a bit but we're just focused on the next game, as cliche as that is."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 14
May 28: ACT Brumbies v Japan Sunwolves at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
