Wife and baby in tow, Tom Donnelly is glad to be back where it all started.
Former All Black lock Donnelly (31) has returned to Otago for the ITM Cup after two years playing for the Crusaders and a season in Japan.
Donnelly said he had other offers but wanted to play for Otago.
''I have just had a wee son. The wife has got a few friends and family down here and it is a bit easier for her. And I just love playing for Otago,'' he said.
Harvey Donnelly, born on May 11, to Jacque and Tom, is going fine, and his father now has rugby to concentrate on.
Donnelly first played for Otago 11 years ago against Marlborough.
That is a lifetime in first class rugby these days. Marlborough has merged into Tasman, and no-one Donnelly played with that day is still playing at the top level.
But Donnelly is not ready to hang up the boots. The 15-test All Black just wants to have an injury-free run, and get his body right.
''I have not played a lot of football this year, with injuries and that. I went and played Super 15, then went straight to Japan, came back and played Super 15, and it was a bit much for me and my old body.
''I just had soft-tissue injuries. Calf strains, hamstring strains and that. I just want to get through the next couple of months, get a good break and prolong my career a wee bit.''
He has not signed for any Super 15 side next year - he has been linked with the Blues - and said he was not even thinking about next year.
The surveying graduate has been forced to change the way he trains, with less running and more use of the rowing machine.
He had limited game time with the Crusaders this season.
The Christchurch-based franchise has All Black locks Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock on its roster, but Donnelly said every time he felt he was coming right an injury would come along.
Overseas offers were on the table but he decided to return to Dunedin, and add to his 73 caps for Otago.
''There was a couple of options to go to Europe after the Super 15. But just the way my body was, I just could not see myself getting through another eight months of hard, tough footy.
''But it is great to be back in Dunedin. We have got a lot of friends down here and it is a great place to be.''
Donnelly played in Otago and Highlanders sides with coach Tony Brown and said the young guys in the team kept everyone, including himself, keen and enthusiastic.
He enjoyed the fast pace of the game in Japan playing for the Mitsubishi side.
Donnelly impressed in his comeback game last Friday against Southland, showing nothing beats experience and rugby nous.
He said the team would approach the first ITM Cup game on Sunday against Bay of Plenty, with some confidence.
''I think Bay of Plenty are a premiership side. So that is a big ask for us. But if we can stick to our game plan and play well for 80 minutes we'll put up a good performance.''
