Otago Boys' High School has a list of rugby heroes who have progressed to the international stage. None are bigger than All Black captain Richie McCaw.
But none are bigger, physically, than Tom Palmer, the 2m, 116kg English lock.
Palmer attended Otago Boys' in 1996 and 1997 and played for the First XV for two seasons.
In his second year, the then 17-year-old was named the school's best player, ahead of team-mates McCaw (named most promising), future Highlanders and Samoa lock Filipo Levi, future Samoa hooker Silao Vaisola, and future Otago and Northland first five Regan Finch.
The English are in Dunedin for the next nine days and Palmer is looking forward to returning to where it all began, taking some of his team-mates along as well.
"I certainly learnt a lot when I was there, but it was quite a long time ago and I've learnt a bit since then as well," Palmer said.
"We've got a visit next week. Me and some other guys are going up there to do a coaching session."
Palmer (32), who had started his secondary education in Edinburgh, came to Dunedin following the recommendation of a contact in Scotland.
During the team's stay in Queenstown this week, Palmer told the Otago Daily Times he almost forgot how nice the region was as he had not been back "for a long time".
"It's been really good. It's a gorgeous place and it's fantastic to be here. You look out your window across the lake at the mountains."
The lock was one of the players who took part in the "extreme sports" team management was criticised over earlier this week.
He had done bungy jumping twice before, when he was 18, and said it was good for the mind.
"I like doing things that sort of challenge the mind mentally and that was definitely one of those things.
"While it's not actually that difficult to do, you really have to make yourself do it and fight your natural instincts. It was a good challenge, really."
Aside from all the fun surrounding the team's campaign, Palmer is itching to make an impact on what might be his last World Cup, and hoping for a start against Georgia at Otago Stadium on Sunday night.
"I knew right from the outset if I wasn't starting these games, there were going to be opportunities for me, because that's the nature of the World Cup.
"We will have to wait for the selectors but I'm hopeful I'll get some game time. I think I've been playing pretty well. I just hope the coaches think the same."
Palmer, who has played 29 tests since his debut in 2001 against the United States, said the English were impressed with Dunedin's new indoor stadium following their game against Argentina last weekend.
"That game last week had a different feel. The crowd were fantastic, really noisy and really passionate.
"I really enjoyed playing there. I think it's great to have a roof on it like that, so you're always going to get good playing conditions. It makes a big difference."
Palmer concedes the All Blacks are the tournament favourites, but the English are staying focused on their own campaign.
"The All Blacks, everyone knows they're a fantastic side. They looked pretty dangerous in the first match against Tonga. I'm sure they'll be very content with that.
"It's not really our focus. Our focus is the teams we have to play at the moment."
He said the Georgians, beaten narrowly by Scotland in Invercargill on Wednesday, would not be easybeats.
"They're going to be a very big challenge up front. They've got a very strong scrum, a good mauling game and I suspect they'll try to make the breakdown a mess."