The 23-year-old is from Taihape, which means he can throw a gumboot further than most of us can drop-kick a ball and he can survive under snow for several days without coming up for sun.
His father, Kerry Whale, was a powerful No 8 who played 150 games for Whanganui, so rugby runs in the blood.
But most importantly, Whale, who moved to Dunedin four years ago to attend teachers college, is very good at what he does. He is an underrated player in an under-the-radar team and that is working out just perfectly for Harbour.
''It has been good. It has been building,'' Whale said.
''We've had the same core group or nucleus for the last four years and there are no more excuses, really.''
The Hawks have slipped into the semifinals with barely any fuss made. Most of the attention has been on the powerful packs Southern and Dunedin boast, or Kaikorai's resurgence, which has come unstuck a little in recent weeks.
But the big three will be well aware of the threat Harbour brings.
Harbour's forward pack is very useful as well. It proved that in the mud at Bathgate Park when the Hawks beat Southern 18-12 in round 10.
Whale was instrumental in that win. He did what he has done so well all season - he won his lineout ball, made tackle after tackle and he carried the ball strongly.
''That [win] was huge. It was a part of the season where we were a little bit unsure of ourselves and it all came together.''
Harbour will play Dunedin in the early semifinal at Hancock Park on Saturday, while Southern will play Kaikorai in the later match. The Sharks knocked the Hawks out in the semifinals last year.
''They are a little bit like us,'' Whale said.
''They've got a strong forward pack and some dangerous backs and we are definitely not taking them lightly. They beat us three times last year. But it is finals footy and anything can happen.''
Harbour's reputation for being undisciplined is something the team has been working hard to combat by staying on the right side of the laws.
''I think we've done pretty well this year. In our stats we have been under 10 penalties each week and we have had a hell of a lot less yellow cards than in the past, that is for sure.''
Whale has not been training with the Otago squad this season but is open to an opportunity. He is also keen to ''go back and play a few games for Whanganui'' and add to the family legacy.
As for the gumboot throwing, well, he threw one of them a record 37m ''in the under-16s back in the day''.