And the reason for that? That pigskin he chases every week in a Highlanders jersey.
The Otago and the Highlanders lock has really taken a step forward this year and has started in three of the four games for the southern franchise
It is a long journey for Franklin to professional rugby from a wide-eyed first-year university student arriving in Dunedin in 2009.
''My whole mindset on rugby was different back then. Rugby was sort of secondary for me. I came down here to enjoy the student life and rugby was sort of second,'' he said.
''I just enjoyed the lifestyle and played a bit of rugby on the side. But I was approached by the academy and slowly things developed from there. And I sort of had to change my focus.
''I had one season of colts rugby. I wanted to meet some people and I did. I think that '09 season with the [Southern] colts was the most enjoyable one I had.
''I was only planning to be in Dunedin for three years. This is my seventh year now. Don't like the cold but I am getting used to it.''
Franklin, who hails from Opunake, made the New Zealand Colts in 2010 and has steadily climbed the ranks.
He made the Highlanders for the first time last year and made eight appearances for the side at the back end of the season.
This year was the chance to cement his starting place and to do that he put in plenty of work over the summer.
''You're always trying to build and build to a new level as a rugby player. Just through good coaching, more training, working on specific things, identifying what to work on, approaching it step by step.''
Franklin worked on his size and fitness in the off-season and has got the results - he has put on 4kg, up to 114kg, and is getting around the park.
''One of my big focuses was working harder off the ball. Getting into position earlier and working hard training. Just trying to be a bit less lazy I guess.
''Just the fitness side of things. It is hard but that is the saying - hard isn't easy man.''
Franklin (24) said the competition among the locks was bringing out the best in everyone.
Whoever Franklin faces tomorrow night in the Hurricanes it will be smaller than Waratahs man mountain Will Skelton, whom he faced off against last week.
''He was a big guy. But they were big across the park. We just had to have good line speed and take them down. We just need to do that again.''
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph confirmed Taieri loose forward James Lentjes has joined the squad as cover for the injured Shane Christie and John Hardie. Christie has an injured hamstring and Hardie a dislocated ankle. Joseph said both injured players were not likely to be back for a few weeks.
He also confirmed prop Ross Geldenhuys broke his thumb but will not be replaced in the squad.
The Hurricanes have lost Dane Coles for the match tomorrow night. Coles was named to start but was later ruled out with an elbow injury. He has been replaced by Motu Matu'u.
Hurricanes v Highlanders
Tomorrow
Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Motu Matu'u, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Ben May, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall
