But to do that he has to work out those taste buds - as in getting through the food, and lots of it.
Franklin (23), in his third year with the Otago side, is a lock who has shown plenty of promise.
A member of the victorious New Zealand Colts team in 2010, he wants to follow his fellow locks in that team, Blade Thomson and Liaki Moli, into Super 15 squads.
But to do that he has been told to bulk up.
And that requires a pretty simple recipe - hit the gym and eat more.
''I've put on about 3kg and want to put on another 3kg. There is nothing complicated about it. I just have to eat more and get in the gym,'' he said.
''You just have to eat anything, apart from takeaways and that ... it makes a big difference when you're playing. You can handle the knocks and make the tackles hurt. Be more physical in your game. And it helps with the recovery.''
Franklin, who is 1.99m tall, and weighs in at 113kg, had a lengthy spell with the Highlanders this year although it was limited to the training paddock, and he never stripped for a game.
He hopes to make the step up next season but knows he just has to keep on playing well for Otago.
He has been happy with his form so far and feels he is getting used to the pace at first-class level.
''It is just more about having time in the saddle and with that you get more confidence in yourself.''
Franklin was brought up in Opotiki in Bay of Plenty, and went to St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton for his secondary schooling.
He then came down to the University of Otago and finished a bachelor of commerce degree last year in business management.
It is rugby fulltime at the moment and he is enjoying this season with Otago.
He has been given the important job of controlling the lineouts.
With the experienced Tom Donnelly beside him, and another former All Black Simon Maling giving him some advice on the finer points of the set piece, he said he was enjoying that role.
''I think they [coaches] just wanted to give me a bit more responsibility.''
Otago is on a run of losses and the game against Manawatu on Friday night looms as a key game.
Franklin said the side played well against Canterbury last week but could not quite nail opportunities.
''It is a big game this week against Manawatu. It is a critical game for our season ... it will be good to be back at the stadium. It is my favourite ground in the country.''
Otago has made one change to the starting side from the team which lost 32-22 to Canterbury last Saturday.
Winger Buxton Popoali'i comes back into the team on the right wing, in place of Matt Faddes, who drops out of the squad. Popoali'i has been struggling with a hamstring injury.
Hugh Blake gets his second straight start at openside flanker, after an encouraging performance against Canterbury.
Tei Walden has been added to the reserves and Willis Scott drops out of the 22.
Otago team
To play Manawatu
Peter Breen, Buxton Popoali'i, Kieran Moffat, Jayden Spence, Fa'asiu Fuatai, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Hugh Blake, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Tom Donnelly, Scott Manson, Liam Coltman, Craig Millar. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Aki Seiuli, Charlie O'Connell, TJ Ioane, Josh Renton, Tei Walden, Michael Collins.










