HARRISON Chapman played in the first XV for King's, represented NSW All Schools, was a part of the NSW Waratahs Gen Blue program, went to an under-20 World Cup and got a taste of Sydney first-grade at powerhouse clubs Randwick and Eastwood.
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Despite the upwards trajectory, there came a point where the tighthead prop's love for rugby waned.
But a move home to Maitland to work in the family building business, coupled with a strong start for the Blacks has brought back the enjoyment factor.
Now the 22-year-old hopes to add a NSW Country Cockatoos jumper to his representative collection.
Chapman and Maitland teammate Travis Brooke have been drafted into the Far North Coast side for the Country Championship in Tamworth this weekend where they will compete for the second-tier Richardson Shield.
Maitland and former Country coach Matt Thomas arranged for the forwards to help out Far North Coast after Newcastle chose not to enter a senior team.
The NHRU will compete in the under-19s and women.
Far North Coast meet New England in their first game on Saturday.
"The NHRU have their reasons for not sending a team," Chapman said. "That is their decision. We are fortunate to have someone like Matt in our corner who has contacts and can get us a run elsewhere. I have had a few chats with the coach Paul Jeffery. He was Matt's assistant coach at the Cockatoos last year and has sent over the playbooks so we have a bit of an idea on what is going."
Pushing for a Country spot wasn't at the forefront of Chapman's mind when he returned home.
"I was playing and working in Sydney but wasn't overly happy with the rugby or the work," Chapman said. "I made the decision to come home and work with dad in the family business. A lot of my family had played for Maitland. After the successful year the club had in 2018, my focus was on securing a first grade spot."
Chapman has shed nearly 20 kilograms and has called on some of the "processes" and "good habits" he learnt from coaches Tim Rapp and Mario Ledesma in the Gen Blue program.
"I got up to 135kg when I was in Sydney," Chapman said. "I had a picture in my mind what I thought a prop needed to be playing men's rugby. I thought I needed the size because I was young and inexperienced. I learnt pretty quick after the fact that it wasn't the case. I have been training in with Bill Coffey at Pinpoint, trying to get back to a more happier playing weight."
Chapman and Brooke will find out what role Jeffery has in mind for them when they join the team in Tamworth on Friday.
"I'm not too sure what the plan is," Chapman said. "I just know when I'm there I have to take my opportunity and show the country selectors what I can do. I want to play to the best of ability, then whatever happens, happens."
