Taking a protein shake to his own wedding explains why All Black Owen Franks looks set to forge one of Test rugby's longest careers.
The indefatigable tighthead prop will raise his century in Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park.
Still young for front-rower at 30, a class above his peers and with a reputation for treating his body like a temple, it would be no surprise if Franks ultimately passes compatriot Richie McCaw's world record 148 Test appearances.
Italian Sergio Parisse (134 Tests) or Welshman Alun Wyn Jones (126) could reach the mark first but Franks' unstinting approach has the potential to eclipse them all.
A new side to the normally laconic prop was revealed when forced to make a rare media appearance on Thursday.
Franks confirmed coach Steve Hansen's delightful snippet that good nutrition was close at hand when he married wife Emma four years ago.
"Yeah, I take food pretty seriously," Franks said.
"I wasn't 100 per cent sure that the catering would have enough food so I pre-packaged the protein shake just to make sure I wouldn't get 'hangry' during all the speeches."
His aggressive side also got an airing, confirming he engaged in a wild training ground brawl with older brother and former All Blacks prop Ben Franks early in his career.
"We're both horrible fighters so we probably missed every punch we threw, but the intent was there," he said.
Sibling relations have seemingly been healed.
Ben sent Owen a text this week congratulating him for the looming milestone.
"And he said 'don't text back because it would be awkward'. That's probably the most emotional he's ever got."
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