He made the first himself, and the Highlanders halfback cried freely yesterday when he told his parents in Tonga he had been named in the All Blacks for the series against Ireland.
"It’s been my dream to play for the All Blacks and when I heard my name, I was just crying for a good minute at least, and my partner was crying as well.
"I called my parents straight away. They’ve always been there for me.
"We couldn’t really say anything. We were just crying, but Mum and Dad were praying at the same time. They are so proud and they can’t wait to see me in the black jersey."
Fakatava’s second call was an incoming message of warm congratulations from his jedi master, Highlanders and All Blacks great Aaron Smith, who naturally retained his place in the squad.
The pair have been joined at the hip in Super Rugby, and Fakatava has eagerly lapped up every bit of advice from the world-class No9.
"As a boy coming from Tonga, Aaron was my idol and I always looked up to him.
"To play with him at the Landers has been amazing. He’s a legend, man.
"I’m really competitive, the same as him, and we have been pushing each other to be our best. He’s the best in the world but he also helps me out.
"I told him, man, I’m coming for you. And he knows I want to put some pressure on him. But he is next level, and I need to keep learning."
Fakatava (22) had his first taste of his new life when he turned up for media commitments expecting to have to put on a Highlanders shirt for a photo.
Instead, an All Blacks training top awaited.
"It’s unreal. I’m speechless. I don’t have the words to explain how grateful I am.
"But this is not the end. This is just the start and I need to keep working hard and I’m really excited to get into it."
Fakatava had been on the All Blacks’ radar last year before an ACL injury took him out of commission.
That threatened to derail his eligibility for the black jersey thanks to World Rugby shifting to a five-year residential period, but he was eventually cleared to play for his adopted country.
He was born in Nuku’alofa, and moved from Tonga to Hawke’s Bay when 16. It had been a tough transition.
"I was homesick a lot of the time, and obviously the language was hard. And young Pasifika sometimes struggle, especially with alcohol.
"For us, it’s hard moving away from our parents and the islands, and it’s up to us to stay focused and train hard and make those sacrifices."
The Highlanders swooped on Fakatava as a 19-year-old — he is now a proud southern man.
It was a bittersweet day for the Highlanders yesterday as Fakatava’s elevation was followed by the surprise omission of young prop Ethan de Groot.
One of the six new caps has Otago links. Chiefs No8 Pita Gus Sowakula came to New Zealand as an injury replacement for the Nuggets, and appeared in Dunedin club basketball.
