When Kiwi World Cup star James Arlidge touched down in New Zealand, he checked out his new home before checking in with his Japan team-mates.
As soon as the 32-year-old first-five walked off the plane at Auckland airport, wife Anna whisked him away to view their dream family home.
"It all happened quite quickly," said the former Blues player. "I think Anna saw it on the internet on a Monday and she went and viewed it on the Tuesday. On Wednesday I arrived back in the country and went and had a look at it and we put an offer in the next day after that."
Arlidge said his wife arrived before him to scout the property market and had seen close to 40 houses before she spotted "the one".
He was taken to see the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in leafy Remuera before checking in with his team at their hotel in Gulf Harbour, north of Auckland.
The real estate agent refused to reveal the selling price, but it is understood similar properties in the area go for about $850,000.
Arlidge, a former Dilworth School and Auckland University student has been playing for Japan since 2004 and can speak fluent Japanese.
He had a standout game on Saturday, scoring all 21 of the team's points against France.
Now he is gearing up to play against the All Blacks this Friday night at Waikato Stadium.
He said he would settle in New Zealand with his wife and son Niko once his newly-signed, two-year contract with UK club Nottingham expires in 2013.
"There was never any doubt about it [returning]. We're pretty keen to raise our kids in New Zealand, eventually. We definitely see ourselves heading back and in this house we've just bought."
- Hayley Hannan