Worcester centre Ben Te’o admitted he was in disbelief at being selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand this June.
It has been a whirlwind journey for the 30-year-old who only changed to rugby union from rugby league three years ago.
Te'o impressed in the November/December internationals as a substitute against South Africa, Fiji, Australia and Argentina as well as England's Six Nations campaign under the tutelage of Eddie Jones.
He was a surprise selection in Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions squad named last week and no one was more surprised than the player himself.
“Obviously I’m very excited. Some people may say my rise through rugby union has been quick, but for me it’s been a long process,” Te'o told the Worcester Observer.
“It’s my third year of rugby union in the Northern Hemisphere and there’s been a lot of hard work. I remember my first game in the British and Irish Cup with Leinster. I’ve started at grassroots and worked my way up.
“As a rugby league player the dream was to win a competition, so when I was selected in the Queensland State of Origin team it was unbelievable. I’ve now got that same feeling again.
“Two weeks ago I wasn’t even thinking about the tour because I didn’t think I was in the realm of making the squad, so to be picked just makes me feel the path I chose to take in union was the right decision.
“I didn’t find out I was selected for the squad until it was announced. We (Warriors players) watched the live stream and I was quite nervous, but they all gave me a good celebration.
“The All Blacks are the number one team in the world for a reason. It’s going to be a very physical test series down there.
Te'o, who was born in Auckland, becomes the first player in history to play for Worcester and the British and Irish Lions simultaneously.
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