Scott Fardy defied the odds to become a Wallabies warrior but the veteran flanker got a chance to step back in time on Friday to where his journey started.
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Fardy met with four Japanese children at the ACT Brumbies captain's run before their clash against the Otago Highlanders as part of an initiative of the Tohoku Youth Program.
It was a reminder of a time when Fardy's Australian rugby ambitions were almost on the scrap heap and when Japan was on its knees after a tsunami in 2011.
Fardy was playing for the Kamaishi Seawaves when a devastating 8.9 earthquake destroyed half of the small fishing town and hundreds of lives were lost.
Less than a year later Fardy was making a shock Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies as a 28-year-old and went on to play for the Wallabies at the World Cup in 2015.
But the memories of his time in Japan and the devastation in Kamaishi have stuck with him. That's why it was so powerful to meet Chiyo Yahata, 17, and Reina Takahashi, 15, who grew up in Kamaishi but lost their parents in the tsunami.
"They've had an incredibly tough time and to have opportunities to come and see the world is amazing," Fardy said.
"They're incredibly tough people in the area I was living in Japan. Two of the girls were from Kamaishi ... they would have only been seven or eight at the time of the tsunami.
"They went to school right where I was living as well. It seems like such a lifetime ago since I was there and I'm probably a bit disappointed I haven't been back.
"I was there for three years ... it was a special time for me there and will stick with me forever."
The Brumbies opened the doors to Yahata, Takahashi, Shingo Kameya and Yuto Abe, who are in Canberra with the Australia-Japan Society.
More than 300 children lost both parents in the 2011 tsunami and more than 1000 lost one parent.
Fardy had to dust off his Japanese skills to speak with the students, who are staying with host families from Radford College and will be at Canberra Stadium to watch the Brumbies play the Highlanders.
The Brumbies didn't hesitate jumping on board given several players, and coach Stephen Larkham, have close ties to Japanese rugby.
"The program is for young people who experienced the earthquake and either lost their parents or siblings," said president of the Australia-Japan Society Dianne Fitzpatrick.
"It's a grassroots program in Canberra and this is our 10th program. It gives them a chance to experience life outside of Japan."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FIVE
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available at Ticketek.
Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Blake Enever, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Robbie Abel, 1. Nic Mayhew. Reserves: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Ben Alexander, 19. Rory Arnold, 20. Tom Staniforth, 21. Lolo Fakaosilea, 22. De Wet Roos, 23. Jordan Jackson-Hope.
Highlanders team: 15. Ben Smith, 14. PatelesioTomkinson, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 12. Richard Buckman, 11. Patrick Osborne, 10. Fletcher Smith, 9 Aaron Smith, 8. Luke Whitelock, 7. Dillon Hunt, 6. Elliot Dixon, 5. Tom Franklin, 4. Alex Ainley, 3. SiateTokolahi, 2. Liam Coltman, 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: 16. Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Siosuia Halanukonuka, 19. Joe Wheeler, 20. Gareth Evans, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Marty Banks, 23. Matt Faddes.
