Best mates Darcy Swain and Len Ikitau have shed tears reminiscing on their bond as the lock prepares to head west to the Force.
Swain’s move was confirmed on Sunday, signing a two year deal to join the Western Force from 2025.
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The Brumbies duo have been inseparable since their teenage days, dreaming of pulling on the gold jersey during their time at Brisbane Boys' College.
Swain was picked up by the Brumbies straight out of school and it was the lock that recommended Ikitau to Tuggeranong Vikings officials, eventually joining the Brumbies and playing for the Wallabies together.
It explains why the decision to move from the Brumbies was heart-wrenching for Swain to speak about.
"It's the toughest decision I've had to make in terms of my future," said Swain to reporters.
"I had to talk to a lot of people and consider a lot of things but, ultimately, it's my time to move on.
"It happens playing a professional game, it was the opportunity...to do something different and be part of something different.
"It'll be a good change for me and my family."
However, what proved too emotional for the towering lock was to speak on what it would be like without Ikitau, needing to take a minute to compose himself before being unable to come up with the right words to explain how special their friendship is.
Ikitau was struck down with emotion as well as he started to think about what it meant to share fatherhood with the soon-to-be-dad, with Swain expecting his first child in June.
“He’s my best mate so it’s hard to see him go. He’s got a baby on the way so it would’ve been nice to have Lennox and little Darcy Swain Jr growing up together but I’m happy for him," Ikitau said.
“He’s taken the opportunity and he wants to be a leader there and I’m just happy for him…there’s no better job than to be the leader of that Force pack so I’m proud of him
“It’s been a long journey together that we’ve enjoyed and it’d nice (to win a title),” Ikitau finished with before taking a minute to compose himself as tears started to swell.
“Darc has been awesome for me. He’s given me this opportunity and there’s a lot of boys that have come down from Brisbane, especially from our school so I think he’s opened the opportunity for boys to come so I’m going to miss him.”
Swain is hoping he can end his career in the nation's capital with a title, preparing for Saturday's clash with the Waratahs.
"It would be unreal," Swain said on Monday.
"We haven't done it since '04. There was 2021, but that's a Super AU and it's a bit different.
"That'd be unbelievable to win a Super Rugby title - not many people can do that."
