His new Wallabies teammates believe former hotel porter Eto Nabuli has only penned half his real-life rags-to-riches story after the Fiji-born flyer was selected to make his Test debut on Saturday.
Famously unearthed by rugby league legends Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler on a coaching trip to the Pacific island five years ago, Nabuli has replaced the injured Henry Speight in the only change to the Wallabies side to tackle Scotland at Allianz Stadium.
It was the then-23-year-old's supreme physical presence that first struck Johns and Fittler, whose chance meeting led to Nabuli linking with Penrith in the NRL before bagging seven tries in 13 first-grade games for St George Illawarra in 2015.
"I thought if this kid were a racehorse, I'd pay $1 million for him," Johns said after identifying Nabuli while he was working at the Intercontinental Hotel.
Half a decade on and Nabuli is still impressing the right people, with Cheika citing the speedster's "edge" at training over the past fortnight as the prime reason for his promotion.
"He's really knuckled down on his knowledge. He's been very enthusiastic as well, with some big, strong running and he's merited the opportunity," Cheika said on Thursday.
"Also his improvement from last season to this season (with the Queensland Reds) has been excellent and I suppose that's a good form guide."
Cheika said Nabuli's back story was impossible not to like.
"You could do worse than those guys (Johns and Fittler) going out talent scouting for you. They've obviously got the nose for good talent," he said.
"And I just think he will have the ability again to step up another level."
While 13 of 14 of Nabuli's new teammates, including fellow rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt, have retained their places in Cheika's starting XV, regular captain and hooker Stephen Moore has again been overlooked.
Cheika said Tatafu Polota-Nau's strong showing in last Saturday's 37-14 win over Fiji was good enough for him to remain at hooker, with Moore likely to be named on the bench when it is revealed on Friday.
Nabuli's inclusion comes after fellow Fijian Speight was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Speight collected a tryscoring double against his native country but Wallabies playmaker Bernard Foley has no doubt Nabuli can more than fill his shoes.
"He's a big presence," Foley said.
"He really got his mojo from the Reds this year. He'scored a number of tries, he's a great finisher and he's a big guy.
"So we will hopefully utilise him and get the best out of him on Saturday because he's someone who can be a match-winner for us."
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt, Eto Nabuli, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan, Adam Coleman, Sam Carter, Allan Alaalatoa, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Roberston. Reserves to be named on Friday.
Share
