A year playing rugby in North Otago in 2006 had a huge influence on the life of English blindside flanker Tom Wood.
Wood (27) played for the Valley club and had 10 games for North Otago in 2006. The same year, he met his wife, Sarah (nee Armstrong).
He was in the English Rugby Academy system but felt he had to do something different to advance his rugby career.
''I wanted to do something that would separate me from the herd back in England,'' Wood said.
''You can become a robot in the academy system. I wanted to do something different. I also wanted to go away from home and from my family and grow up a bit as a bloke, as well as a rugby player.
''I wanted to experience the skill level and the passion for rugby out here. It was good for me.''
Wood travelled to Oamaru after training at the Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday to meet his relations and friends.
''I thank the people of North Otago for all their efforts for me. I was incredibly well looked after,'' he said.
''I learned a huge amount and had a few leg ups along the way. I like to think they have a vested interest in me and take some pride in seeing me improve. I will try to make the people of North Otago proud on Saturday and, hopefully, beat the All Blacks.''
Members of his family and friends from North Otago are expected to make the trip to Dunedin for the test.
Wood does not think there will be any extra pressure on him because he is the only member of the pack who did not play in the Auckland test, when the English performed well.
''I always have a huge amount of pressure when I pull on an English shirt,'' he said.
''We expect a lot of ourselves and it is largely internal. James [Haskell] has set the bar very high for me this week and I need to honour that.
''While we are proud of last week's effort, we never accept losing. When it doesn't go our way, we analyse the detail and come back stronger.''
Wood arrived late after playing a key role for his club, Northampton, which beat Saracens in extra time to win the English premiership.
''I knew it would be a selection headache for the coaches. It's the nature of this tour because the lads did us proud last week.
''It's incredibly cruel that someone should miss out, whether it be the guys that put their hand up last week or the guys that have been playing well all year and played in the premiership final.
''I'm glad it's the coaches' job and not mine.''
