Tears of joy and relief for All Black prop

Chiefs prop Nepo Laulala was reduced to tears as his All Blacks selection for the World Cup sunk in.

Laulau and his wife, Loriana, nervously watched the squad naming live on TV with their young son. When the 27-year-old’s name was announced, they hugged in celebration and cried in joy.

The propping position was highly competitive with tighthead specialist Laulala getting the nod ahead of 108-test veteran and double World Cup winner Owen Franks who was a shock omission

It’s been an emotional journey for Laulala after making his All Blacks debut in 2015 but missing out on that successful World Cup campaign in England.

A serious knee injury the following year required major reconstruction surgery and threatened his future.

Just when he was getting back in the groove he was hit by a forearm injury last year that required two surgeries.

‘‘It’s a very special moment, I feel very humbled and honoured to represent our country, my family, especially my

God who made this all possible,’’ the softlyspoken Laulala told 1

News who joined him at his home for the announcement.

He admitted his run of major injuries had him worried if he would be able to make a World Cup which has always been his ultimate goal.

‘‘For my knee especially, it was pretty tough. There were a couple of times where I thought I wasn’t going to get it strong enough to play at that high level,’’ he said.

‘‘With my forearm, it was a bit tougher than with my knee because I wasn’t expecting it to be tough to come back, I had to have two surgeries on it.’’

Laulala’s power scrummaging and lively play with the ball in hand gave him an edge against the less mobile and ageing Franks, especially after he took over the No 3 jersey for the last test against the Wallabies at Eden Park.

Laulala was quick to take a call from his proud parents as a mixture of relief and celebration continued.

‘‘That was always the thing that picked me back up when I was down, just seeing their smile,’’ he said.

‘‘My biggest driver was seeing them (my parents) happy for me, seeing them proud.’’