Louis Tili's balancing act between work, rugby league and rugby union came to an end this year.
Born in Samoa, Tili (23) moved to Dunedin with his sister in 1999 and attended Kavanagh College and Otago Boys' High School, where he excelled in rugby, making the First XV.
Tili, a teacher's aide and miner, played for the Dunedin and Pirates rugby clubs after leaving school, but began dabbling in league when he saw his uncle playing the sport.
He said he could not decide which code he enjoyed more, so he did both for three years.
Tili decided to settle on league when his team, the South Pacific Raiders, lost to University in the Otago club final last year.
Pirates wanted him to stay, but moving to league was the right decision, he said.
It was time to ''take a break'' from rugby and focus on league. The South Pacific Raiders' undefeated run this season and competition title made the sacrifice worth it.
''It was definitely worth the change,'' Tili said.
He has been able to bring a lot of the skills he learned from rugby, specifically his kicking game, making regular 40/20s this year for his club side.
Now playing for the Whalers, Tili is looking forward to taking on the best during the South Island districts competition.
''It will be good to have all the talent from around Otago,'' he said.
The Whalers play the Southland Rams in the first round of the competition this weekend and will seek revenge after losing last year.
Tili has added incentive for winning this weekend when he takes on his cousin, Rams winger Pua Kuresa.
Otago coach Ray Fitiao is confident the Whalers can win in Invercargill.
The team's training sessions have been hindered by players' prior commitments, but Fitiao is confident his team can come together.
''In terms of preparation, we are a little unprepared for the game, but we're going down to win,'' he said.
University skipper Dexter Buchanan will be at prop for the Whalers as Fitiao looks for ''mobility and fitness'' from his players this season.
Tili and Ben McKerchar will be key to Otago's chances of looking for territory and converting that into points.
The new East Coast Eagles club has a handful of players who have gained representative honours, including Whalers vice-captain Kail Spooner and game-breaker Hyrum Martin.
A good amount of depth should hold the team in good stead when taking on the best of the South Island.
''We've got a good core group of guys,'' Fitiao said.
The Whalers will also play Canterbury Development, the West Coast and Tasman, and the campaign will feature a lot of travel.
Otago's sole home game will be played at Forsyth Barr Stadium, against the West Coast Chargers.
-by Thomas Heaton
Otago Whalers
2014 campaign
Draw: Tomorrow: v Southland Rams, Invercargill, 2.30pm.
August 23: v Canterbury Development, Christchurch, 2.30pm.
August 30: v West Coast Chargers, Forsyth Barr Stadium, 5.30pm.
September 6: v Tasman Titans, Nelson.
Tomorrow's team
Kail Spooner, Geoff Horsburgh, Brogan Jackson, Terrence Reid, Taua Piri, Louis Tili, Ben McKerchar, Dexter Buchanan, Corey Riggall, Koben Katipa (captain), Eddie van Aalst, Joe Bywater, Richie Clarke. Interchange: Isaac Misky, Silapa Halangahau, Hyrum Martin, Jalan Wallace. Travelling reserve: Tyson Ball.
