The English flanker was a favourite with fans and the media when the British and Irish Lions touched down at Dunedin Airport yesterday.
Team members were jocular following their victory over the Crusaders on Saturday night.
Even stone-faced coach Warren Gatland stopped to joke with his players and the media.
As Haskell spoke to the Otago Daily Times about his previous stint in the city as a Highlanders player, Gatland interjected over his shoulder and asked the 1.93m flanker if he "had any girlfriends" in the city.
But Haskell tackled the curly question with the same nonchalance he would an errant back blundering into the breakdown.
"I had a girlfriend at the time — so, no girlfriends," Haskell said with a wide grin.
He was pleased to be back in the city he called home during the 2012 Super Rugby season.
"Everyone has always been welcoming," he said.
"It’s like a second home. I’d love to come back here and play one day.
"It was a really good time of my life."
Haskill, named to play tomorrow, lauded the city’s "culture" and fondly remembered the hunting and fishing.
He even offered a nod to the city’s coffee.
Haskell was also complimentary about the ground.
"Forsyth Barr Stadium to me is incredible," he said.
"It’s a blueprint for people building stadiums moving forward. The fast-flowing rugby. The fans being right there."
