North Otago coach Mike Mullins says some of his players lost a lot of skin on a recent tour of the Pacific islands, but he believes they will be grateful for the experience once the Heartland Championship starts.
The Old Golds played three games in 11 days in Fiji and Tonga and held their own against the powerful island players.
''It was tough, which was what we were looking for. We're looking for guys who are going to be mentally tough,'' Mullins told the Otago Daily Times.
''The teams we played were big and fast, the Fijians especially. It was the hardest rugby our boys have ever seen in pre-season.''
The tour provided something of an eye-opener for the players in the squad who had not been to the islands before.
''There was huge growth for the players, not just in terms of rugby. To see how people live in the islands was a real eye-opener.
''After our first game, we had a traditional kava ceremony. We also did some coaching at a school, and we actually helped out with some cleaning up around one of the fields.
''It's a lot different over there. You get rocks on the field - big rocks, not just little stones. You see things that would be major health and safety issues here in New Zealand.''
Mullins toured Tonga and Samoa with Ireland in 2003, but was told North Otago was the first international side to visit Nadroga, in Fiji, since the unofficial All Black side in 1980.
The passion for rugby in the islands was infectious, he said.
''We were basically treated like a miniature version of the All Blacks. We got close to 5000 at one of the games, and 4000 at another.
''They just love their rugby. We saw a lot of talented players. And the whole tour was great for building relationships for the union.''
North Otago has now chalked up tours of Japan and the Pacific islands in recent years, and Mullins suspects the ambitious union may head to Canada and the United States in the future.
The destination this weekend is not quite so glamorous. The Old Golds head to Westport for the Heartland Championship opener.
Reaching the final of the Meads Cup last year represented a good season, but naturally Mullins is setting his sights on going one better.
He thinks his side is slightly deeper in terms of talent - and it will need to call on every ounce if it is to usurp the new superpower of heartland rugby, defending champion Mid Canterbury, under former Highlanders and North Otago coach Glenn Moore.
''They're the favourites. They won it last year, and they're really well coached.''
Mullins feels he is a better coach in his second time around with North Otago.
''I think I changed my style a little bit last year. Possibly I was too nice last time. I think last year I approached things with a bit more toughness. Getting results is what it's all about.
''It's more of what I call a stick mentality. Sometimes you've just got to lay out to the players that this is how it's gong to be. I'm clear about what I expect from them.''
He will again be assisted by Troy Looms. Duncan Kingan (manager) and Jason Forrest (conditioning and skills coach) complete the management team.
