Manly recruit Siosiua Taukeiaho admits he feared his rugby league career was over after being axed by Catalans for skipping training to go to a concert.
Left in limbo after his London jaunt last July, Taukeiaho's turnaround will be complete when he starts for Manly against North Queensland next Saturday night.
Taukeiaho is the first to admit he struggled in the Super League, as he and his wife went from having two children to four while away from extended family.
A move back to the NRL was first denied at the end of 2023, when he failed a medical at Canterbury while battling a lisfranc fracture in his foot.
The injury ruled the forward out for the start of 2024, before Taukeiaho was among three players sacked for calling in sick for training to attend a pop concert.
Taukeiaho resumed injury rehab with Canterbury at home, but at that point assumed his career was likely over before his 33rd birthday in January.
"At the time when it happened, I was going through a lot. It was a bit of an embarrassment for myself and my family," Taukeiaho told AAP.
"It's hard because at that age I was trying to come back to the NRL and I was thinking teams won't even look at me because of that incident.
"I never thought I would be able to come back."
A two-time premiership-winner with the Sydney Roosters, Taukeiaho never expected to return to the NRL when he left the club in 2022.
But after his failed Bulldogs return, a desperate Taukeiaho was handed a train-and-trial deal by Manly last November and vowed to show coach Anthony Seibold he was committed.
"It was about coming in and trying to build trust because of what happened in the south of France," Taukeiaho said.
"I wanted to show that's not really me.
"That was pretty much the only incident I have been in trouble with since I started playing in the NRL.
"Obviously I sat down with Seibs and had a good chat with him. And they accepted it, and were happy for me to come here and start fresh."
Taukeiaho said has had no issues with his foot since removing the screws last year.
His rise to Manly's pack also follows the path of former State of Origin forward Nathan Brown, who arrived on a train-and-trial deal in late 2023.
Brown played 22 games for the Sea Eagles last season as a hard-running prop, earning him a contract until 2026.
"I like to give players a second chance and I am happy to give players a second chance, but they also need to take it," Seibold said.
"And Siosiua has taken that. He will start for us in the first game.
"He has earned that through his performances at training. He has twice won our trainer of the week. He is a winner, and he has been great with our younger boys."
Meanwhile Manly confirmed a new deal for winger Lehi Hopoate on Friday, elevating him into the top squad after a superb 2024 and ensuring he will stay until 2027.
