He's the former Brisbane GPS school student tutored by a former Wallabies coach and flyhalf who stands on the cusp of a spot at the World Cup.
Ben Gunter grew up dreaming of running on to the hallowed turf of Suncorp Stadium and pulling on the gold jersey of the Wallabies.
But when the former Brisbane Boys College student runs out for Friday night's Super Rugby clash on the famous ground, he will be wearing a Sunwolves jersey after a "unique" rugby journey.
Gunter turned out in GPS clashes against future Reds Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young and Hamish Stewart just over three years ago but will line up against the trio when his Sunwolves take on Queensland.
Unwanted by the Reds and just weeks before he submitted paperwork to join the army, Gunter was thrown a lifeline by Japanese Top League side Panasonic Wild Knights.
“I didn’t have anything with the Reds, I was in the Academy but it was a no go there and I was about two weeks out from joining the army," Gunter said.
"I’d just finished school and one of my mate’s managers hit me up and said there were clubs in Japan chasing me."
Gunter had been spotted playing for BBC while in Japan for the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in his senior year.
“I cut my Schoolies trip short and went over there for a two-week trial over Christmas and came back and six months later I had a contract playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights under Robbie Deans," he said.
Linking with former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and flyhalf Berrick Barnes was the key to taking his game to the next level.
"When I came to Japan, Robbie Deans had to really turn me into a rugby player," Gunter said.
“He and Berrick Barnes used to get me aside a lot and do simple catch-pass mechanics and stuff like that.
“I used to have hands like frypans, I couldn’t catch anything.
“I think with Robbie and Barnesy, they saw potential and they had time to put a lot of work in with me and that made me a better player.
"I have to put it straight out there on the plank that I wouldn’t be where I am without them just giving that time to turn me into a rugby player."
Their relationship had a rocky start though.
"I couldn’t even talk to him when I first went over there, I was so scared of saying something stupid," Gunter said.
“Him and Berrick I couldn’t even talk to them, I was so nervous."
Gunter has benefited from the input of several current and former Wallabies who have joined Panasonic's ranks.
“I was very lucky I had Dan Heenan, an ex Wallaby, in the Panasonic team. He and Ben McCalman were teaching me how to jump properly because I’d never jumped in high school, that was a big fault in my game as well.
“And then the year after, David Pocock came over to Panasonic, so I learnt a lot about the breakdown."
While he believes he could have risen to the challenge if handed an opportunity at Ballymore, Gunter is thankful for the opportunities he has had in Japan, where he is now naturalised and eligible for selection for the Cherry Blossoms for the World Cup.
"I think if I did stay at the Reds, I probably wouldn’t be at the level I am now because I wouldn’t have had the open assistance from guys like Robbie, Barnsey, Pocock, Dan Heenan and (former Force forward) Sam Wykes., there’s been so many guys at our club.
“We had (All Blacks flanker) Matt Todd come over last year, so I think I wouldn’t be the player I am not without going to Japan.
“It's worked out to be a good thing."
With conflicts flaring around the world and Australian troops on active duty, Gunter knows his life could have been very different had he filed that paperwork before the offer from Japan came through.
“I’m very lucky, I’m very honoured, very blessed," he said.
“It literally came at the last minute, so I couldn’t thank Robbie enough once I got offered a contract after my trial.
“And he turned around and said: ‘Mate, you earnt it.’
“And that made me feel really good as well."
Gunter's Sunwolves will take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, May 3, kicking off at 7:45pm, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
