Luckily for Mitch Morton, the trek from his new home in Omarama through the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru to link up with the North Otago Heartland side has been worth it.
Morton was a standout on debut for the Old Golds last week and was in the thick of everything, despite going down 39-21 to Whanganui.
The 21-year-old grew up in Gore, but attended John McGlashan College for his final three years of school, including being part of their first XV that made it to the national top four.
He then headed to Lake Coleridge, up the Rakaia Gorge, for a farming cadetship for two years and played rugby for Darfield before landing in Omarama earlier this year working as a shepherd.
"It’s a pretty central spot. You’re sort of smack bang in the middle of the South Island.
"It’s close to home and same as up to Christchurch ... made a heap of friends up there."
The rangy flanker turned out for Kurow this year and loved his time with the Red Devils.
"It was awesome. It’s a pretty cool rural club."
An impressive club season led to him getting the call-up to play Heartland, where he already appears to be right at home.
He relished the chance to pull on the gold jersey for the first time last week and will get another chance today.
"It was good. Good trip away and good to experience that side of things.
"It was pretty cool sort of playing another level of rugby.
"I’m just learning a lot more."
They will need to take another step up this afternoon when they host Wairarapa Bush at the North Otago A&P Showgrounds.
The Old Golds will host all their games at the showgrounds this season, with the Waitaki Events Centre construction ruling out games at Centennial Park.
Coach Luke Herden has made one change to his starting side after last week’s clash.
Japanese halfback Kippei Taninaka gets the start in the No9 jersey, while Seru Cavuilati will come off the bench.
Zingari Richmond flanker Flavius Roberts-Vili and Lagi Poasa will make their debuts off the bench.
Former Green Island back Levi Harmon will start at centre for Wairarapa Bush.
He played two games for Otago last season and was previously with Wellington in 2017.
Heartland Championship
N. Otago A&P Showgrounds, 2.30pm
North Otago: Ben Paton, Hopate Finau, Ben Fakava, Tini Feke, Ben McCarthy, Kenta Iemura, Kippei Taninaka, Junior Fakatoufifita, Savenaca Rabaka, Mitch Morton, Epineri Logavatu, Asaeli Ngahe, Paea Pala, Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki. Reserves: Jake Greenslade, Mateo Qolisese, Cameron Rowland, Lagi Poasa, Flavius Roberts-Vili, Seru Cavuilati, Sevanaia Druma, Lachlan Kingan.
Wairarapa-Bush: Boitumelo Tsatsane, Charles Mataitai, Levi Harmon, Jack Delaney, Gracyn Evans, Jack Eschenbach, Sam Walton-Sexton, Folau Finau Vaea, Marcus Ale, Isireli Biumaiwai, Alec Odell, Malakai Biumaiwai, Fakaonga Lea’aemanu, Leiw Bush, Rupou Lea’Aemanu. Reserves: Terongo Tekii, Stan Wright Jnr, Jeramiah Mapusua, Cody Cunningham, Thomas Williams, Daryl Pickering, Bryce Cummings, Nathan Hunt.
