Every player needs it. But then again every player has to take it.
Jackson Hemopo has grabbed it when it has come along. And he has a lot to thank Tom Franklin for.
You could call it luck or making the most of the slightest opportunity.
Even the butterfly effect - when the smallest decision has the most massive consequence down the line.
Hemopo first came to Otago in 2012, fresh from Palmerston North Boys' High School, where he had been something of a schoolboy star.
Starting a building apprenticeship in Dunedin, Hemopo was in the background for Otago that year, as he trained with the academy.
But with Justin Ives breaking his cheekbone and Tom Franklin blowing his hamstring in a game against Auckland, Hemopo, who was not yet 19, started for Otago in the Championship semifinal against Tasman.
He made the most of it - scoring a try in the opening minutes and getting around the field. He played in the final for Otago the following week, a loss to Counties-Manukau.
Hemopo was named in the New Zealand Colts the next year but a foot injury ruined his year and he played for neither the Colts nor Otago.
He continued to battle away for his Green Island club and they were tough years.
Green Island was bottom of the table and the wins were few and far between.
Hemopo made the switch to Southern in 2014 but lasted only one year before heading back to Miller Park.
He made his debut for the Highlanders in 2015, coming off the bench in an easy win over the Blues at Eden Park.
The following year he did not play a game for the Highlanders, although he was joint club player of the year, before moving back to Manawatu.
But the one lucky break landed his way last year.
It seemed inconsequential at the time but Franklin, who was playing well for the Highlanders, chucked his lot in with the Maori All Blacks for the match against the British and Irish Lions.
Fair enough, that was a decent decision by Franklin.
There was real prestige playing for the Maori. But it left the door open for Hemopo.
He made his starting debut for the Highlanders that memorable night against the Lions and was part of a forward pack which matched up against the Lions nd won the game.
Franklin, on the other hand, was part of a Maori side which had a stinker.
From there, Hemopo was on his way. On the back of his Lions game, he started the next two games of the season and was solid at lock in both.
This year, of the 17 games the Highlanders played, Hemopo played in 16 of them.
He was all energy and vigour and his abilities were noticed by those that mattered as he won an All Black call-up, playing the last 10 minutes against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium in June.
Now, he gets his start for the All Blacks and, although it is a weakened All Black side, he will be expected to display all of his wares.
He gets another chance.
And going on what has happened before, he will take every last bit of that opportunity.
