Then . . .
Alando Soakai arrived in Dunedin in the mid 2000s, fresh from high school in Auckland.
Not many Tongans headed south in those days but Soakai was keen to taste life in the South.
His rugby ability did not go unnoticed by coaches in Dunedin and he made a real impact as an openside flanker.
After playing well for his Kaikorai club he was loaned out to Southland for the 2004 season.
The following year he came back to Dunedin, made his Otago debut and was pretty much a permanent presence from then.
He went to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 where he helped New Zealand win a gold medal in sevens.
Soakai had a big engine, had the ability to link well with players and also put in some good hits on defence.
He made the Highlanders in 2007, playing nearly every game in a season which was disrupted as New Zealand players were withdrawn to get them ready for the World Cup.
He continued to give loyal service to both Otago and the Highlanders but never came into the picture for national honours with the likes of Richie McCaw and Marty Holah ahead of him.
Soakai captained the Otago team which went down in a thriller of a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Southland in Invercargill in 2010.
He studied physical education where he met his future wife, Debbie Hill.
Soakai was unable to represent Tonga, where his parents came from, as he had represented New Zealand in sevens.
Now . . .
Alando Soakai is still involved in rugby but says a lot has changed.
The Highlanders and Otago flanker moved to Japan after the 2011 season with the Highlanders and five years later is still there.
He racked up 58 games for the Highlanders and 60 games for Otago.Soakai and wife Debbie, a former Otago netball captain and New Zealand volleyball representative, have two children, Amelia (3) and Makaio (18 months), with a third on the way.
He is now a fulltime forwards coach at Kubota Spears, the club he played for.
The club is based in Tokyo where Soakai lives.
Soakai retired a season ago and the 33-year-old quickly moved into coaching.
Soakai said the hours he put into coaching were certainly much longer.
"But I am loving my new role and the daily challenges it brings. Deb and the kids are really settled and happy here," he said.
"The kids have adapted to their Japanese way of life, living off rice balls and sushi."
Soakai said loyalty, commitment and hard work were highly valued characteristics in Japan, and Soakai believed he developed such traits while in Dunedin.
"Deb and I both loved our time down South and have so many great memories. At this stage we would love to stay in Japan for a couple more years but definitely have returning home to New Zealand in the long-term plans."
Soakai said he was keen to continue coaching on his return to New Zealand.
"I am also passionate about helping young aspiring rugby players achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
"Until then, the South will always have a special place in my heart.
"Something I often reflect on when I drink from my sneaky six-pack of Speight’s that I always bring back with me, every time I fly ... It’s liquid gold!"