KEY POINTS:
He's just 22 but England winger Tom Varndell has already embraced the highs and extreme lows of professional rugby.
Roller coaster careers are normally the domain of veterans but proven matchwinner Varndell can reflect on a remarkably rocky ride before facing the All Blacks in the second test
in Christchurch on Saturday night.
Most would probably consider the low to be his third and most recent test, against Australia in Melbourne two years ago, when he was bullied from start to finish by opposite number Lote Tuqiri.
It was a cringe-worthy clash as the monstrous Tuqiri manhandled his green English opposite, memorably flinging him over the sideline more than once and following up with verbal taunts.
His confidence splattered, Varndell returned home to the Leicester club and found his career had another downward rung to negotiate.
Then-coach Pat Howard was so unimpressed with his form that he loaned Varndell to nearby national division one side Bedford to play in a second-tier competition.
He was injured in his second game for Bedford against Waterloo at a small ground in Liverpool where he estimated the crowd size at 10.
Varndell said his short time with Bedford was "embarrassing" but a crucial experience as he sought to recapture the bright talent shown as a teenager.
"It was absolutely brutal," he said of the demotion.
"They (Leicester) thought I needed a kick up the arse and that's what I got."
Varndell enjoyed a glittering schoolboy career and starred for the national sevens team.
Capable of running 100m in 10.8 seconds, he famously scored a hat-trick inside 13 minutes in one of his first Leicester outings in 2005 and crossed from nearly his first touch on test debut later that year against Samoa.
He admitted ego had infiltrated his game and his life.
"A lot of things happened very quickly for me. A lot of hot air was blown up my (backside) a bit and at the time it all went to my head.
"As a 19-year-old, you don't think about the bad stuff that could happen and I hit the ground with a bit of a thump in Australia.
"Tuqiri schooled me a little bit. Thinking back now it was great but at the time it wasn't very pleasant."
Varndell's life has moved on. His girlfriend has had a baby and the flying winger has realised the importance of building a career.
He was the leading tryscorer in this year's English premiership, notching 13 in 21 matches.
It still wasn't enough to win English selection for this tour but he got a reprieve when Paul Sackey pulled out injured.
"With the wingers that have come through this year, I thought my chances had come and gone," he said.
"Being back at Leicester and getting the tries has been great for me this season. Hopefully it will stand me in good stead for this weekend."
Varndell will mark Sitiveni Sivivatu, who has shifted from the left to right wing.
He said it was important to take the initiative and not let the game drift by while also enjoying the occasion.
"Two years ago in Australia I put a lot of pressure on myself, I got very nervous. I don't want to be like that this time round."
- NZPA
