RUGBY was the last thing on the mind of Narromine's Josh Mann-Rea when he was 500 metres underground putting roof bolts and supports in the Illawarra coalmines.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But, then again, the Wallabies thought they would never land a 33-year-old goalkicking hooker.
And even though Mann-Rea is one of the most unlikely Wallabies in history and fighting just to get game time on the spring tour of Europe, the veteran hasn't given up on an ambitious World Cup dream.
After the ACT Brumbies rake forced his way into the squad when a hooker injury crisis hit Australia, Mann-Rea is proof that no goal is out of reach. And his unconventional path to the job via the mines to Japan and now to France hasn't dampened his determination.
"It's always good to be known as an international Wallaby, but I'm not ashamed of where I've been and the journey I've taken to get here," Mann-Rea said.
"I wouldn't be here without that journey. I'm a pretty basic bloke, being here isn't something I thought I would be [on the tour]. I'm not here to make up numbers, I want to show what I've got and there's no better thing than representing your country."
Injuries have opened the most unlikely of doors for Mann-Rea as the journeyman aims to chase a slim World Cup dream.
Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Nathan Charles' absence forced the Wallabies to call for hooker reinforcements for the spring tour of Europe.
Mann-Rea is the ninth-ranked hooker in Australia, battling with Saia Fainga'a and James Hanson for game time in Europe, and knows he's been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
He was a junior star and was coached by Ella in the Australian under-19s team that toured Europe 14 years ago.
He also played in the Australian under-21s team alongside former Test stars Matt Giteau and Mark Gerrard.
But instead of travelling the world, he was putting in roof bolts and looking after roads in the coalmines near Wollongong.
"I think we were about 500-odd metres and about 1.5 kilometres from the top of the escarpment. It can be dangerous ... but our seams were pretty high."
Despite his impressive junior roots, he has played just a handful of Super Rugby games and 20 minutes for the Wallabies.
"I didn't play footy for two years, I gave it away ... it's almost like I'm the last man standing. I think everyone knows my goal has been to just get game time with the Brumbies," Mann-Rea said.
Mann-Rea gave up on rugby at the end of 2007 to focus on providing for his family.
A phone call from mates in Japan gave him a career lifeline and he spent two years playing for Kyuden Voltex, before joining the NSW Waratahs and Brumbies.