A fitter, happier Chris Feauai-Sautia beamed with pride after being presented his 50th Queensland cap by the man that gave him his start - Reds assistant coach Paul Carozza.
Carozza identified Feauai-Sautia as a future Wallaby at the age of 15 when he was still a raw boned star at Brisbane State High School, such was the promise he showed as a teen.
A stellar schoolboy career has been followed by an injury riddled seven years for Feauai-Sautia, who looks to have finally found the right balance for his body having been superb for the Reds in their three starts this year.
"Paul is a legend of the game," Feauai-Sautia said after earning his 50th cap.
"He's been a part of the Queensland Reds for a very long time.
"Getting the jersey presented by him was a massive honour and something I will cherish.
"It's a very proud moment.
"I just want to say thank you again to all the Queensland Reds staff for making it happen and having the belief in me to sign me again."
Feauai-Sautia's skin folds are the best they have ever been and it shows on field.
He is hunting more work but still shedding tackles with ease, doing so on a couple of occasions when receiving the ball at a standing start against the Bulls.
"I've trained really hard over the preseason to get as fit and as strong as I have ever been and it shows out there," he said.
"You start playing with happiness and enjoy your footy."
Having strung together two wins for the first time since 2014 in beating the Bulls,, Queensland's attention now turns to the two match tour of Argentina and South Africa, where they will face the Jaguares and Stormers.
"We want to continue that momentum on tour.
"We have two big games - one in Argentina before going to Cape Town to play the Stormers.
"We have the belief and it's there for us to take."
The Reds face the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning, kicking off at 8:40am AEDT, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
