Canada flanker Jamie Cudmore knows the meaning of tough - and it is not the sight of a 19-stone Fijian thundering at him on a rugby field.
A decade ago Cudmore, standing 6ft 6in, was the cash collector for a drug dealer in his home town of Squamish in British Columbia on Canada's west coast.
Cudmore turned 18 while serving a year in a juvenile detention centre after being found guilty of assault.
His name was linked to trouble again after a New Year's Eve party at his parent's house in 1997, even though he was not involved. Cudmore was not there when a neighbour came to investigate the noise and was beaten to death by two men.
He realised then he had to leave Squamish and moved to Vancouver where rugby became the ``biggest part'' of his life.
``I had a bit of trouble growing up,'' said Cudmore ahead of Canada's World Cup clash with Fiji in Cardiff.
``It was a very, very sad time and a very unfortunate incident but I wish I would have been there to stop it.
``In a sense, yes, rugby saved me. It gave me an outlet. Rugby got me on the right track. I'm certainly glad it did.''
Cudmore did not take up rugby until he was 17 but it was always in his make-up. He relishes the physical contact.
He once illegally tackled an opponent running to home plate in a junior baseball game.
``In rugby you got rewarded for that kind of contact. So for me it was something I had been looking for all my life. You can run into people and people can run into you.''
Cudmore spent a year with Llanelli and and now plays in the French Top 14 for Clermont Auvergne.
He enjoyed a huge game in Canada's World Cup clash against Wales, scoring their first try as the Cannucks opened a surprise 17-9 lead.
Wales eventually proved too strong for the Canadians, but they enter tomorrow's clash with Fiji full of confidence.
Coach Ric Suggitt has added a physical edge to his side by including lock Mike Burak and fly-half Ryan Smith in order to combat Fiji's free-running, open style of rugby.
``Watching Fiji we saw how dominant they were and where they attack with their runners,'' said Suggitt.
``I don't think anyone is more mobile than the Fijians and at any given time they can turn nothing into something. That's their strength from one to 15.
``Ryan is an excellent tackler and he'll bring the defensive line with him. Mike Burak is a big forward. He's very physical and we know it's going to be a tough, physical game to begin with and we have the other guys to provide mobility.''
Fiji arrived in Cardiff on the back of a bruising 35-31 win over Japan and boosted by the news that Gloucester-bound flanker Akapusi Qera is fit to start.