Most New Zealand rugby players his age are either off overseas or sitting on the couch.
But the 31-year-old Southland hooker is a man on a mission, riding a wave of momentum, and wanting to make amends for a disappointing first season with the Highlanders.
"I left here after the 2004 season with not a great feeling. I'd played 17 minutes in the whole season and that wasn't what I wanted," he said.
Rutledge went back to Southland and kept playing on and off for the Stags, but again found himself on the outer last year.
"David Henderson [Southland coach] took me aside at training early last year and said I was the No 3 ranked hooker in the province. He was just being honest with me but I was gutted.
"I talked to my agent and there was talk of me being loaned to Tasman."
But Rutledge said with friends and family in Southland, and having just started a plumbing business, he decided to stay in Invercargill.
He continued to train hard and injuries to other players coupled with impressive form led to him cracking the Southland starting XV, getting his chance in an upset win over Hawkes Bay.
He continued to impress and with rival hooker David Hall forced to play No 8 for Southland due to injuries, Rutledge was a mainstay right through to the Air New Zealand Cup semifinals as Southland had its best season in many years.
"I think previously I'd always been hampered by injuries. Over the years I'd have Achilles problems, hip injuries. I broke my leg. I had appendicitis one year.
"Last season I managed to get a good run of games in a row and nothing beats playing all the time. The team got a run-on and the confidence grew."
Such was his form he could not be ignored for Super 14 selection, and the two Southland hookers were picked for the Highlanders.
Rutledge said his game had changed in the past year, with less confrontation and more off-loads.
He said his second spell with the Highlanders is somewhat different from in 2004.
"It's more like a job now which I think is good. We get down here and work all day. If you want to do other things you do them in your spare time like everyone else.
"It seemed like in the old days you'd come down to training and then go away for three hours for a surf or something."
He said the competition between him and Hall was tough, although he acknowledged Hall had the inside running for the Highlanders No 2 shirt.
Rutledge has been forced to put his plumbing business on hold for the moment, but still has plenty of things on his mind off the field.
His wife Gina is due to give birth to their second child next month - they already have a boy Gregor (2) - but being at the birth may be tricky for Rutledge.
The family have moved to Dunedin for the Super 14 season.
"I'm supposed to be in Sydney at the same time as the birth. I might get the Mayday call and I'll come home. But I might not make it in time.
"Who knows? We're still working on that one."
