Otago and Crusaders prop George Bower remain on cloud nine following his call-up for the All Blacks Tri-Nations squad, but behind the smile lies the difficult decision he had to make to get there.
Speaking to stuff.co.NZ, Bower says he had an opportunity to play for Fiji in last year's Rugby World Cup but he told John McKee who was the Flying Fijians coach then that it would be best for him to stay with New Zealand and play a little more Super Rugby.
He says it was a hard decision for him at the time.
He adds that he would love to play for his home country but playing for the All Blacks has been a dream of his.
Bower is a two-time Super Rugby champion and was born to Fijian parents in the city of Lower Hutt in New Zealand.
He also spoke to Radio NZ about his journey.
Bower is one of the four All Blacks players with Fijian links that have been named to feature for New Zealand in the final two Bledisloe Cup Tests and the Tri-Nations competition.
The All Blacks will meet the Wallabies at 8.45pm next Saturday in the third Bledisloe Cup Test.
[Source: Stuff.co.nz, Radio NZ]
