Darcy Swain admits it's a humbling feeling hitting 50 caps, set to bring up the milestone for the Brumbies as they name their squad to face Moana Pasifika.
Swain has followed the path of many Brumbies beforehand - an overlooked talent from a northern state given a chance in the nation's capital to flourish.
“It’s pretty humbling. I didn't really think I'd get here," Swain told reporters. “I’m just grateful to be where I am."
"I didn't get a look-in up north and that put a bit of fire in the belly. The opportunity to come down here and snag a contract and learn, and then get to play.
"That progression of club into under-20s, into academy, into a pre-season and NRC and my debut back in 2018, 50 caps later it's tough to put into words.
"I've been here for seven years now…It’s just a little milestone but I couldn't have done it without all the lads here pushing me everyday to get better, and the coaches for believing in me. I could’ve come down and thrown away few years away with Tuggeranong but they got the best out of me so I’m very grateful to be where I am.”
It wasn't all smooth sailing for the 25-year-old.
Having established himself as a regular starter in Super Rugby AU in 2020, Swain was dropped for the Final, with Dan McKellar favouring the likes of Murray Douglas and a fresh-faced Frost.
"I wasn't in the best form and I wasn't really playing good rugby either," Swain explained.
“…That moment back in 2020 when I got dropped for the grand final was pretty sad for me, and a pretty hard day to come to terms with because I was playing footy and then all of a sudden you're not in the game that you want to play.
"If it wasn't for guys like Fruit [Nick Frost] or Tommy Hooper - like I remember quite vividly having to chase them down because they're fit buggers.
"That went a long way to me having a good pre-season and then playing good footy last year.
“But looking back on it, I'd do it all again, because it's made me who I am today and taught me a lot of lessons."
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Outside of celebrating Swain's milestone, the Brumbies have plenty to play for on Saturday with a win securing their spot in the top four.
If they slip up, they could fall as low as fourth, with McKellar taking little chances as he names a near-full strength squad for the clash with the bottom-placed Pasifika.
“We’re focused on getting the win first, you can't underestimate these guys, they're a real physical pack, and they've got a game (Tuesday) so they have a short turnaround. "We've got to get our stuff right if we want to put some points on them. Certainly nothing is taken for granted,” he added.
"They're a really creative team and they thrive off the back of being physical, playing expansive rugby, and making offloads. We've got to be physical and match that, we've got to have a good set piece, and we've got to take them out of the game.
"We've got to make sure that they can't play off the back of a powerful scrum with the powerful maul they have."
BRUMBIES (1-15): Scott Sio, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Sefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Rod Iona, Hudson Creighton
