Wests Tigers centre Solomona Faataape was unfazed by nepotism claims around his signing, with the rookie saying he could only laugh at his new-found fame.
Faataape has made an instant impact at the Tigers in his opening two games, going from uncontracted wannabe to a starting centre in the space of two months.
The praise for his performances is a far cry from the player's controversial arrival at Concord in January - when interim Tigers CEO Shane Richardson was forced to deny claims of a conflict of interest.
The 23-year-old is managed by Richardson's son Brent, with Shane a co-founder, part-owner and shareholder of the company.
Richardson senior said at the time he had declared any conflict of interest to the Tigers board, while new coach Benji Marshall insisted Faataape had been signed on merit.
"I didn't even know it was out there, and then Benji made it clear, 'I want you here because I want you here'," Faataape told AAP ahead of the Tigers' Easter Monday clash with Parramatta.
"I was just confused, but then I read (the stories). Honestly, I thought it was funny.
"I've gone through my whole life of people not really knowing me, so when I see my name, I'm like, 'OK, people are talking about me'.
"That gets me up. It was like, 'Oh, what the heck? People know me?'. I read it and I laugh."
The realisation is still dawning on Faataape that he is getting a long-dreamed-of chance in the NRL.
He had a pre-season with Melbourne through feeder club Brisbane Tigers, but at age 23 was beginning to give up hope of ever earning an NRL contract.
Before getting the call from the Tigers in January, the centre was expecting another season in Queensland Cup alongside his job as a personal trainer at a gym south of Brisbane.
"It's tough, because you see all these debutants and they're 18. It does play with your head," Faataape said.
"But I look at the likes of Cody Walker, who debuted at the age of 26 or 27, and it's like, 'Man it doesn't matter'.
"Benji said if you're good enough you can do the job.
"But it does play with my head a bit - this is one of the youngest teams in the comp and I am one of the oldest backs."
Parramatta have confirmed they will be without Bryce Cartwright (ribs) for Monday's clash, with Kelma Tuilagi to start in his place in the back row.
