At a one-on-one with players on the first day at the rugby academy, Mexted interviewed Fifita. "And one of the questions naturally that I asked was - 'What's your rugby goal or ambition in life?'. It was a [two]-word answer - it was 'All Black'."
"He [Fifita] is a quiet guy. he's a man of few words," Mexted said of the now 25-year-old 113kg Fifita, whose rampaging performance at No 6 against the Pumas in his first test start, including running around two backs on a 40-metre burst to the try-line, echoed around the rugby world.
"But throughout that programme he showed incredible physical promise. We had [former All Blacks skills coach] Mick Byrne on that programme and Mick said to me that he had more explosiveness than any other [young] lineout player he'd ever worked with.
"When we tested him on speed, he did 4.99 (seconds) for the standing 40-metre sprint. Now that's a very fast time. We've had 17 years of results now with IRANZ, and it puts him in Group One with the wingers. 4.99 for a guy who's 6 foot 5, 196(cm) is exceptional."
Fifita, who went on to play for Wellington and the Hurricanes, thrived in the high-pressure environment of IRANZ, Mexted said.
Something he had continued to do in professional rugby, including the All Blacks. "He'll continue to grow. You haven't seen the top side of him yet."
After Fifita finished the IRANZ programme, Mexted helped him move to Wellington to oversee the furthering of his rugby career.
"To realise your potential, it doesn't happen by accident," Mexted said. "Physical talent alone isn't enough to become an All Black.
"You have to be in an environment where there's constant necessity to apply and to be disciplined, to grow to make it to the next level. There's no magic wand, you've got to invest in your future and put the wheels in motion and learn what is required to get to the next level.
"Vaea's done this and moved up to the ultimate rugby environment, which is the All Blacks squad and this will help him achieve his maximum."
Fifita scored an incredible 26 tries in his debut season of Wellington Club rugby.
Veteran rugby commentator and author Keith Quinn said members of the Wellington Football Club (dubbed the Axemen) were so certain Fifita would go on to become an All Black, "a couple of seasons ago, when we redecorated the entrance way to the clubhouse we put in a life-size pic of Vaea".
Born and raised on the Tongan island of Vava'u, Fifita came to New Zealand with an age-grade Tonga rugby team. His talent was spotted and he was offered a scholarship by Tamaki College, where he played for the Ist XV in 2011.
Tamaki College principal Soana Pamaka said Fifita "was a very humble young man right back then, so we are very pleased that he's got the success that he's got, 'cause he really deserves it".
Pamaka said Fifita "popped in" to the school while he was in Auckland with the All Blacks squad during the Lions series. "He said, 'I've come to say hello'."
The Ist XV was gathered, and he spoke to them, telling him of challenges he had faced, Pamaka said, and giving them the message "you have to be prepared to make the sacrifices and work hard".
The principal said Fifita "was a standout" for the Ist XV when he was playing for the team.
"Even back then you could tell that he's got that athletic kind of build, so we thought he could go a long way in his rugby career."
A video of Fifita leaping over a Counties Manukau back on a surge down the sideline during last year's Mitre 10 Cup has become a YouTube hit.
Pamaka said that wasn't a one-off. He had hurdled opposition players for the Ist XV.
"He's a lovely boy, he so deserves his success," Pamaka said.
"We are just so proud of him."
