IT took Harry Johnson-Holmes time to get his head around being the NSW Waratahs starting loosehead prop.
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In three years, Johnson-Holmes has gone from an Australian Schoolboys representative at Merewether High to packing against some of the biggest and best scrums in world rugby.
But like with most things, the flamed-haired 22-year-old has simply ripped in.
Johnson-Holmes will wear the No.1 jumper for a sixth straight game when the Waratahs take on the Sunwolves at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.
The proud Novocastrian and Wanderers junior "exceeded all my expectations" when plucked virtually straight out of under-20s to play 18 games off the bench for the Waratahs last season.
A long-term knee injury to Wallabies bookend Tom Robertson pitched Johnson-Holmes into the starting side and he has helped steer the Tahs' to the top of the Australian conference.
"Last year, coming off the bench, you try and have an impact on the game in a small period of time," Johnson-Holmes said. "It is almost a different style of rugby. You assess your game on whether you get a turnover or a line break. Having the chance to start and get regular minutes, you can focus on getting the little things right and doing your job within the team. That has helped me get my head around being the NSW Waratahs starting loosehead."
Johnson-Holmes has averaged more than 60 minutes and churned out six carries and 11 tackles a game.
"Last year was a good learning curve, but a lot of the time I was coming up against the opposition's second-string tighthead prop," he said. "I probably had a false sense of security about where I was actually at around scrum time. It has been a big focus to make sure my set piece is right. If I can do my job at the set piece, the stuff around the paddock will come. I have had a lot of help. Sekope Kepu has been really good and Tatafu Polota-Nau was unreal during his [loan] stint at the Tahs."
Scott Sio (43 caps) and James Slipper (86 caps) are at the head of the Wallabies loosehead prop queue but Johnson-Holmes' reputation is growing with every game.
On Friday, the Tahs confront a Sunwolves scrum that pushed them around in Tokyo in round two, where the visitors were lucky to escape with a 31-30 win.
"They showed us last time, that they mean business," the prop said. "Scrummaging at a top level against international players week-in week-out requires me to be constantly on top of my game, always developing and being adaptable when things don't go my way."
As well as catch up with family and hand out a few tickets, Johnson-Holmes and Tahs teammate Andrew Tuala will return to their old club, Wanderers, on Thursday night to assist at training and present first grade with their jumpers ahead of the opening round on April 6.
"I have a strong connection and sense of gratitude toward the Wanderers club," Johnson-Holmes said. "They give every kid an opportunity to achieve their dreams. There are so many great people involved in the club. Someone like Darren Young, who coached me through juniors and went on to coach first grade, encapsulates what Newcastle is all about. He wants nothing more than to give back to a club which has given him so much."
No doubts, Johnson-Holmes will also receive a text message from former Waratah and Wanderer Stu Pinkerton. A 65-game veteran for NSW from 1997-2001, Pinkerton and Johnson-Holmes followed similar paths to the Tahs.
"I really appreciate every time he reaches out to me," Johnson Holmes said. "It is usually at big moments. I got one before the Shute Shield grand final, around my debut, the semi-final last year for the Waratahs. It's really humbling. I am a drop in the ocean compared to what Pinko has achieved in rugby."
