He may have copped flack from his Crusaders teammates for making the switch across the ditch but Pete Samu couldn't be happier with his decision to head back to Australia.
Samu can't remember the last time he played 80 minutes but that's exactly what he did in his first Test start after David Pocock was a late out from the team that beat the Boks.
It was a dream come true for the 26-year-old, who turned his back on a potential All Blacks jersey to join the Australian quest for Bledisloe and World Cup glory.
"Probably getting closer to home was the main reason (for leaving New Zealand) and obvious there is the World Cup next year," Samu said.
"I definitely believe we can win the World Cup next year.
"I was pretty keen to come back and join the boys because obviously I know a lot of them from when I was playing in Australia before.
"That was another key factor."
Samu is as quiet as a church mouse off field but he is tough as nails on it, emulating Pocock with some superb breakdown work on Saturday.
He rates that part of his game as his most potent skill and credits the Crusaders' culture with developing his game to Test standard.
"It was a real good (culture) at the Crusaders, probably one of the best I've been in," Samu said.
"The Wallabies have their own culture and everyone is striving to get better."
Samu may be an introvert but not even his tough exterior could help but chuckle when Crusaders teammate Joe Moody caught his eye during the haka in Sydney.
"Yeah, well, I was trying to keep a straight face during the haka because I could see Joe Moody smiling at me during it.
"I had to sort of step in behind one of our tall boys so I didn't have to look at him."
But it wasn't all fun and games between mates, Crusaders and New Zealand centre Ryan Crotty offering his jersey to the flanker post-match.
"A few boys said, 'Good game' but there wasn't much time," Samu said.
"Ryan Crotty actually gave me his jersey.
"I went to give him mine as a swap but he said 'When you get a few more we can swap.'"
The Wallabies face Argentina on Saturday at Robina Stadium, kicking off at 8pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Channel Ten and RUGBY.com.au radio. Buy tickets here.
