Newcastle's Francis Manuleleua has played only 13 NRL matches, yet Sunday's preliminary final against Penrith presents his biggest challenge.
The 22-year-old Auckland-born forward will confront Liam Martin and aim to pressure Nathan Cleary, who is managing a foot injury.
Penrith brought the Samoan-descended player to Australia, but he never reached the NRL after progressing through the club's junior grades.
Instead, Manuleleua worked as a groundsman at the Panthers' academy, watching full-time players from a ride-on mower.
"That's the front of Penrith's centre of excellence, I reckon I cut that spot up every single day I was there," he told AAP.
He said the job motivated him to earn a professional opportunity, which eventually came at Newcastle.
Manuleleua also acknowledged poor conditioning and a sweet-tooth battle, recalling a family "where KFC was something I had every second night".
"I got found out when I moved over to Penrith … I did a (NSW) Cup pre-season and got kicked in the arse and I was always at the back."
Once a halfback, he has developed into a damaging edge forward.
"Cleary's on that edge so the more I contain those two, the better it is for the team," Manuleleua said.
He added that Newcastle's lawns were superior: "the lawns are way better."