Lausii Taliauli has banished the bird in a bid to discover the best form of his tumultuous footy career.
The Brumbies winger has stripped more than 10kg from his frame in an attempt to nail down a starting spot on the wing - and it's all thanks to divorcing the Colonel.
Regular visits to KFC had become a habit for the former NRL under-20 player and Sevens flyer but diverting from the drive-through has helped him shred the weight that had prevented him from becoming a Brumbies regular.
"It was just cutting the junk food out, that was the main one," Taliauli said of his weight loss secrets.
"Us Islanders love KFC, so it was cutting the KFC chicken out, especially for dinner."
The 25-year-old has had his wings clipped by injury throughout his career but hopes he can become a Brumbies regular this season.
"Ever since I've been at the Brumbies over the last couple of years I've struggled with injuries and weight issues as well," he said.
"So I've definitely stripped a lot of weight and I'm raring to go this year and hopefully the coaches can back me."
After a string of knee injuries throughout his career, Taliauli had a scare late in the pre-season when he suffered a medial ligament tear that kept him out of the Super Rugby opener.
"I was definitely quite nervous because I knew there was something wrong with my knee at the time," he said.
"It clicked a little bit but I was lucky enough it wasn't anything serious and it was only a couple of weeks' setback."
After making his comeback in the Brumbies' win against the Waratahs last week, the former The Southport School student is hoping to be named on Friday to face the Reds.
Having grown up on the Gold Coast, Taliauli admitted it still grated that he hadn't had the opportunity to play for his home state, with his first opportunity coming in the rival rugby code.
"(The Reds) were definitely the club I wanted to play for growing up," he said.
"I moved over to Queensland (from New Zealand) when I was 14 and played right through the Reds system but I didn't get the offer from the Reds.
"The Titans were the first ones to offer me something out of school and they were the first ones that I went to, so I didn't really get an opportunity with the Reds."
Running on to Suncorp Stadium in front of family and friends on Sunday would mean plenty.
"It definitely does give me some meaning just to prove something to the Reds, especially if I do get the chance to play this Sunday," he said.
"I just want to have a great game and prove to the Reds and the Brumbies what I can do."
Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano was thrilled to see Taliauli rediscovering his best form.
"You heard him talk about the sacrifices he's made to put himself in a good position, with his physique and his fitness and his health," Lealiifano said.
"He's able to produce more of what we like to see from Lausii more consistently and I'm stoked to see him back playing.
"He had a really strong pre-season.
"Unfortunately he got injured in the trial just before round one and again he had to put some work in to get back out there and hopefully we can get him out there for longer."
The Brumbies take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, March 24 at 4.05pm AEDT (3.05pm local) LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
