Just an awful thought. Awful, right?
It came horribly close to reality a couple of years ago when the young Tongan with the wild blond streaks in his hair had emerged as a talented understudy to the great Aaron Smith at the Highlanders.
Fakatava, born in the islands and based in Hawke’s Bay, was coming off contract with the Highlanders and there was significant interest emerging from both the Evil Empire and the Hurricanes.
"I’ve got to be honest, I was close to going to the Crusaders," the halfback said this week.
"Just because I love how they play, and their forward pack is always on the front foot, and it would help my game a lot. If they’re dominating the collision, I can look at opportunities around.
"So I was thinking about them, yeah.
"Then my dad told me — and I had it in the back of my head as well — that the Landers gave me this opportunity that no-one gave me."
Fakatava had come to New Zealand aged 16 to attend Hastings Boys’ High School.
He made his NPC debut for the Magpies at 18 but was very much a second-string behind Brad Weber. Not every Super Rugby club immediately realised there was a rare talent up for grabs, but the Highlanders — as indeed they did with Smith 13 years ago — spotted his immense potential.
"I was surprised the Landers offered me to come here. They gave me an opportunity to see what I can do at this level of rugby."
That early show of faith motivated Fakatava to give back to the Highlanders when he had an opportunity to leave.
"My dad told me the same thing. And it was just clear in my mind that I’ve got to stay.
"It was loyalty. The Landers gave me so much. Even Nuggie — credit to him for helping me out. He didn’t try to teach me how to play like him, but he pushed me to keep doing what I’ve been doing.
"It was a buzz because I grew up watching him. He’s the man. He’s still got it.
"I told him after the game on Friday, you’ll be 40 and still playing. He’s that good, and he’s still playing like he’s 21."
Still only 23, Fakatava has re-signed with the Highlanders until after the 2025 campaign.
He has learned at the foot of the master and now gets a chance to make the halfback jersey his own.
"Since I came into the Landers, Nuggie has always helped me out and always told me, every year, that when he is going I am going to be taking over.
"That’s his legacy. I can’t play as well as him. For me, it’s my own legacy and doing my best and hopefully I make him proud."
Fakatava made his whole team explode with pride and delight on Friday night.
He played the final 13 minutes but made the last 30 seconds his own when he spotted a gap on the blind side and dashed to the line for the game-winning try against the Reds.
"I love running. On my way to the ruck, I saw their No7 behind the ruck but he was making his way to the open side. So I was thinking in my head, ‘if I look that side, he’ll keep going’.
"I knew Rino [Marino Mikaele-Tu’u] was coming around. So maths — two on one. Hopefully Rino would score or me."
Smith celebrated wildly in the stands, and the halfback pair shared a special moment after the game.
"Aaron was so proud. We didn’t know what to say to each other. We were just hugging and, like, yeah!
"I told him it was for him. And it was a team try, ha ha."
The Highlanders have their season on the line this weekend when they need to either beat the Blues in Auckland or have three other results go their way if they are to reach the playoffs.
Fakatava is relishing the prospect of duelling with Blues halfback Finlay Christie, and hoping to get a chance to impress the All Blacks selectors.
Smith has one spot on the World Cup plane to France locked up, and Fakatava will jostle with the likes of Christie, Weber and Hurricanes sensation Cam Roigard for the other two halfback places.
He hopes to be in France, Dunedin is his adopted home and Hawke’s Bay will forever be special to him — but there is nothing like his birth country.
"I miss Tonga a lot. I miss my mum and my dad a lot. Every week, we have a video call. It just reminds me of why I’m here, to help them out.
"That was the first goal for me. It wasn’t to get in the All Blacks. It was to provide for my family, for a better life, and I’m doing that right now.
"Every opportunity I have, I take it to really make them proud."
Fakatava joked his father was so proud at the end of the Reds game, he nearly broke a television with all the excitement.
Just as well the screen survived — the lad will be on it, in Highlanders blue and a black jersey — for many years yet.
