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Otago Boys' High School first XV captain Michael Collins is being wooed by the one of the most successful league clubs in the business - and it seems talented young South Island, rugby players are becoming a target of aggressive Australian league clubs.
Collins, who also captains the school's cricket first XI, was flown to Melbourne earlier this season for a week-long fitness and training programme for the Storm league club.
Collins, who has just turned 18, was one of 12 New Zealand teenagers invited by the Storm to inspect facilities in Melbourne and go through a series of tests.
It was believed to be the first time a teenager from Otago has been flown across the Tasman by an Australian league club for a week-long trial.
"It was pretty cool. Everything was very professional and they didn't put any pressure on.
"I've got another six months to wait and see what I do - weigh up all the pros and cons," Collins said.
"I've never played league before, as they don't really have a competition here. But by playing league I'd probably have to give up cricket."
Rugby is also still high on Collins' agenda - after making the New Zealand under-17 squad last year, the midfield back is a candidate for the New Zealand Schools side this year.
He was picked out by the Storm when he played for the South Island Secondary Schools team at a tournament last year, although Collins felt he did not play well in the game. He was in the Otago Rugby Football Union's apprenticeship programme and said rugby was still an attraction.
"Obviously, being a professional athlete is a big draw. Who wouldn't want to do it? But there are still a lot of things to do."
Otago Boys' High School first XV coach Ryan Martin said Collins was a promising player and his trip across the Ditch showed the competitive nature and reach of professional sport teams.
"I've noticed over the last year there are a lot more scouts at games and a lot more interest," he said.
"One of our other players has had phone calls at home from scouts in Christchurch. I can see why they [league clubs] do it. They might spend $10,000 to $20,000 each on five youngsters and if one of them makes it then they are a lot cheaper than buying a superstar.
"But it is quite easy at that young age to make the wrong decision. They get ideas put into their head but at the end of the day these guys are still at school."
Otago Rugby Football Union player development manager Tim Colling said he was aware of the interest in Collins and was keen to keep him in Otago.
"The league clubs are pretty proactive. If you're good enough then you can get the offers.
"We obviously can't match them financially but we want to keep him here. We'll be doing everything we can to keep him here."