Eight weeks down, one week to go.
Haereiti Hetet taking centre stage during a Flying Fijians training session. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Flying Fijians prop Haereiti Hetet is counting down the days until he can see his family again after a two month whirlwind in which he tested positive for Covid-19, had two stints in quarantine and made his test rugby debut.
The Bay of Plenty loosehead came off the bench in Fiji's win over Georgia earlier this month, as the Vern Cotter coached team ended a challenging Northern Hemisphere tour on a winning note.
The Autumn Nations Cup clash in Edinburgh proved to be the Flying Fijians only match on tour following a major Covid-19 outbreak in the squad.
"I didn't think really that much of the Covid when we were going over there," Hetet said over the phone from Auckland's Pullman Hotel, where he and three of the Fiji coaches are halfway through a second stint in managed isolation.
"I thought it was going to be quite managed in terms of us going over there but it was a hell of an experience."
Fiji coach Vern Cotter issues instructions during training. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Hetet was among 29 members of Fiji's touring party to test positive for the coronavirus at their training base in France, which forced the cancellation of tests against Portugal, France, Italy and Scotland.
"I was feeling a bit not the same because I didn't know what the hell (was going on). Because we're isolated, when you're in your room even when I was testing negative you're in your room for so long and I keep thinking it's all in my head," he said.
"You start overthinking things but I actually tested positive and I was sick for a couple of days, had body aches and lost my taste for four days."
The Bay of Plenty prop was a surprise call-up for Fiji's Northern Hemisphere tour. Photo: Bay of Plenty Steamers 2020
Hetet was one of seven Fiji players that were also caught up in the cancellation of the Barbarians match against England, when 13 Barbarians players breached strict protocols by leaving their London hotel, forcing the cancellation of
"We were disappointed about that because we had pretty much everything at the hotel - you could imagine the treatment and stuff like that. [We were] just let down there by some local players."
The son of front-row legend Joeli Veitayaki, Hetet said the Fiji squad grew closer during their six weeks together in camp.
"I don't think any other team would be able to endure that and then still come out in the end but I've made close friends now and especially big names in that team. I was sort of star-struck getting to know them and getting to call them my brother now that's awesome."
The sacrifice paid off for the 23 year old front-rower as he went on to make his test debut against Georgia, playing the the final 13 minutes of Fiji's 38-24 victory.
"For me running out for my first time I was getting a bit emotional there," he recalled.
"Even with no crowd it still had that feeling and just to come out of all that adversity and being in lockdown, quarantine and all our games possibly not being played it was still worth it."
The test against Georgia was Fiji's first in 423 days. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hetet arrived back in New Zealand last week and is due to be released from his latest stint in isolation on Christmas Eve.
"It's easier here because I'm close to home and you start to see the light at the end of tunnel," he said.
"I've been away for almost two months now so I'm just excited to get out take advantage of staying at home, just go and travel New Zealand once I'm out...get outdoors and take my little family around."
And if reuniting with his partner and son wasn't enough of an excuse, the Otorohanga man has another reason to celebrate.
"I get out on the 24th and that's my son's first birthday. He's having his first birthday on Boxing Day - a big party."