Konrad Hurrell is rediscovering his roots alongside his Rugby League World Cup teammates in their trip home to Tonga ahead of next month's tournament - and he's loving every second of it.
Hurrell and the Tongan rugby league team have touched down in Nuku'alofa to train and have already immersed themselves in the culture.
Players were taken to a nearby local school, one Hurrell attended growing up, on the back of utes where they were welcomed by adoring fans.
The whole experience was a sensation for Hurrell.
"Everything is still the same!" Hurrell said of his old school.
"This is where we grew up, this is how we are!"
Hurrell said returning to Tonga wasn't just important for the players.
"When I was their age, I always wanted to be [a sport star].
"For them to see us come here, I guess it's a big opportunity for them to see themselves in that way as well - for us to come back here is a big thing."
Tonga's first World Cup match is against Scotland on October 29 in Cairns.
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