Rugby: All Blacks bolter Pasilio Tosi vindicates switch from loose ...

After hearing the good news, Pasilio Tosi's first inclination was to ring his dad to share.

Instead, the Hurricanes loose forward-turned-prop decided to keep his All Blacks call-up on the down low.

"I felt it would be way better getting a genuine reaction from him than hearing it from me," Tosi told Newshub. "I quickly called my sister and told her to keep it a secret, but put on the TV and record dad's reaction, because I wanted to see it. 

"She's done that at home. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm excited to see it.  

"I'm looking forward to calling him after this."

At least Tosi's dad won't be wondering where this outright bolder came from to claim his spot in the national team. Suffice to say, his son's name was not among many predicted squads, before it was read out by NZ Rugby chair Dame Patsy Reddy.

Tosi can probably thank a decision to select an extra prop and forego a fourth lock for his inclusion, but he can also credit his strong performances for a powerful Hurricanes pack during Super Rugby Pacific, assuming a starting role, when now-All Blacks teammate Tyrel Lomax went down injured mid-season. 

Still, when the phone call came, he almost didn't pick up.

"I'd just woken up and was trotting upstairs with my kids, when one of them decided to throw a tantrum," he recalled. "Just as he was throwing that tantrum, the call came through.

"It was an unknown number and normally I'm not one to pick those up. I normally just let it ring, but I quickly answered and it was 'Ray' [new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson] on the other side.

"I was overfilled with joy." 

The decision to include Tosi was obviously not Robertson's alone – forwards coach Jason Ryan had plenty to contribute.

"Jase fell in love with him pretty quickly," recalled Robertson. "It was like MAFS [Married at First Sight].

"He's an incredible athlete, who took his opportunity when Tyrell was out. He can start or come off the bench... he's a great kid and will do well in the black jersey."

Tosi, 25, started his rugby career at the back of a Southland scrum, but has transitioned into the front row, where he found a steep learning curve and - fortunately - people around him willing to assist. 

"I don't want to sound bigheaded, but I feel like my scrumming has gone a lot better this year," he said. "That was an area of work.

"Before, I used to be a No.8, so I loved running the ball anyway, but to be in the front row, your bread and butter is to scrum.

"I feel I've got way better, and I've got Tyrel and [scrum coach] Jamie Mackintosh at the Hurricanes to thank for that. They're great coaches.

"I won't say I never thought I'd get here, but now that I am, I feel like anything is possible."

He acknowledges the black jersey does not mark the end of his front-row education. 

"As I said to Jase, I'm a student here," said Tosi. "I'm never too good to learn and the only way I can be better is to learn.  

"I've got a good ear on me, so Iiwill take as much learning as i can to better my game."