And Hale T-Pole would have been sitting back in Dunedin weighing up his future.
But they now find themselves in Highlanders jerseys, looking forward to aiding the franchise in the coming weeks.
Delany finally joined the side yesterday - after a couple of weeks negotiating his release - to cover injured first five-eighths Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga, while T-Pole comes into the squad to replace the injured John Hardie.
Delany (29) played for the Highlanders in 2008 and said he was excited to be back in the squad and in the South.
"It was not something I was expecting but when I got the offer I thought I couldn't turn it down," Delany said.
"I was all set to go on holiday and catch up with a few friends. I was heading for the States and Vegas, but that can wait. That is always going to be there but this isn't."
Delany last played a game in Japan about a month ago, for the Panasonic Wild Knights, and believed he was match fit, having been surprised at the standard and intensity of Japanese club rugby.
When that happens is up to Delany and his new team-mates but the former Bay of Plenty pivot said it had been an intense couple of weeks.
"It has sort of felt like being back at varsity, learning all the new moves but the guys have been really helpful."
T-Pole (32) has also been in Japan, having spent four seasons with the Ricoh Black Rams, the same side for which Highlanders Tamati Ellison and James Haskell played.
He played a few minutes in a club game for Pirates a couple of weeks ago, and then received a call from Jamie Joseph late last week, asking if he would join the Highlanders.
He last played for the franchise in 2007 and said much had changed since then with new coaches, new training facilities and a new stadium. He has also lost his long hair.
T-Pole has an option to go back to Japan for another year but may look to stay in New Zealand.
He is in the squad for the next three weeks as Hardie's replacement and intends not to waste the opportunity.
"I'm really, really excited to be here. Really looking forward to it. I've got a chance and I want to make the most of it," he said.
Delany looks as though he will start the game against the Blues on Friday night and Chris Noakes will shift to the reserves. Fullback Ben Smith looks like an unlikely starter, due to his head knock, and Tamati Ellison is a possible starter in the custodian's role.
The ring-ins
Mike Delany
Age: 29
Test caps: 1
Super 15 caps: 10 games for Highlanders (5 as substitute) 2008; 28 games for Chiefs (17 as substitute) 2009-11.
Provincial caps: 61 games for Bay of Plenty, 2005-10.
Hale T-Pole
Age: 3
Test caps: 14 (Tonga), 5 (Pacific Islanders) 2005-09
Super 15 caps: 19 games for the Highlanders (11 as substitute) 2004-07
Provincial caps: 8 (Otago) 1999-2000, 60 (Southland) 2000-07.
