Sangster said he never imagined when starting the 2021 rugby season that he would be running out with the Hurricanes at the start of 2022.
"This whole season has come at a bit of a rush, and it is a bit of a dream come true. I'll take it in my stride now and hope for the best," he said.
Central to taking his chances as he has stepped through the levels from club rugby was parental support and taking time out each day to digest his thoughts and keep himself together.
The lock has had to work on putting on weight, especially after the rigours of the Bunnings NPC campaign, and he is now playing at 115 kgs, having put on 5 kgs.
He was happy at that weight, and it hadn't affected his mobility.
The Crusaders represent one of the more demanding debut outings.
“It's an exciting challenge coming up against two of the best locks in the world [Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett] and I can only put my best foot forward and leave it all out there on the field.”
Having Hurricanes stalwart lock James Blackwell packing down beside him was useful, and Sangster said he was looking forward to their preparation together into the final stages ahead of the game.
Sangster said he was already aware of how much faster and more physically intense the game was at Super level in their game with the Blues, but he felt an improvement in their second game, also against the Crusaders.
Coach Jason Holland said they had noticed Sangster early in the NPC campaign, especially after former Hurricanes coaching assistant Richard Watt had told them about Sangster's potential.
"We're really impressed. He's a big man who's physical and has slotted in well. He's earned his spot and there's been some good competition in that space. Justin's done well and deserves the jersey," he said.
Halfback Jamie Booth was named to start for the side, and Holland said the time he spent coaching during his injury absence had been good for him.
"He's a positive influence on Rubes [Ruben Love] and Rubes is getting better every day and more and more confident. They complement each other well," he said.
Having Booth return had been timely after TJ Perenara went down with an ankle injury in the pre-season.
Holland said it had been a tough decision choosing the first five-eighths with Jackson Garden-Bachop and Aidan Morgan each pushing for inclusion.
"Rubes is getting more and more confident with how he runs the game and he's a real threat and that has given him the edge at the moment around us having an attacking mindset about how we want to go about this game and not waiting to see what the Crusaders have got. We want to go and attack them," he said.