Those who have seen the Chiefs' Tawera Kerr-Barlow know he is not your run-of-the-mill halfback either so his leisure time activities will not surprise.
However, franchise officials are happy he has ditched the roller-blading this year as he and the Chiefs prepare to battle the Sharks tonight for the Super 15 crown.
In his spare time, Kerr-Barlow reads historical fiction by Leanne Hearn, Wilbur Smith, Con Iggulden or John Marsden.
"Now I read whenever I have a spare moment. I don't have so much time now but I value it so much more when I get the chance," he said.
Kerr-Barlow has upped his game to such an effect this season he was called into the wider All Back training group.
That was another boost to the sporting objectives Kerr-Barlow had when he left his native Australia as a teenager.
Kerr-Barlow, son of Kiwi parents Reimana and Gail, was determined to be an All Black.
Mum played halfback for Australia but Kerr-Barlow did not hanker to wear yellow and chase the position held by such greats as Nick Farr-Jones, George Gregan or Will Genia.
Being born in Melbourne and raised in Darwin was no barrier.
When he was 13, he left to board at Hamilton Boys' High to start that ambition.
"I always loved the All Blacks from as young as I can remember," Kerr-Barlow explained.
"I just wanted to see if I could do well in the best rugby nation in the world, so that brought me over."
This Chiefs season he took his chance when former All Black halfback Brendon Leonard was injured.
He powered into his work so strongly he caught the attention of the national selectors and stayed ahead of Leonard even when the senior halfback recovered. His goals developed as he played for Waikato, then the Chiefs.
"He's a bloody good kid," Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said.
"He is very physical defensively, so he is a real nuisance to opposing nines and we have seen him in recent times, make life difficult for Andy Ellis and Aaron Smith."
Super 15
The final
CHIEFS v SHARKS
Waikato Stadium, tonight, 7.35pm
Referee: Steve Walsh
Teams
Chiefs: Robbie Robinson, Tim Nanai-Williams, Andrew Horrell, Sonny Bill Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Kane Thompson, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke, Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Sona Taumalolo Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Afeaki, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard, Jackson Willison, Lelia Masaga.
Sharks: Patrick Lambie, Louis Ludik, JP Pietersen, Paul Jordaan, Lwazi Mvovo, Frederic Michalak, Charl McLeod, Ryan Kankowski, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel (capt), Anton Bresler, Willem Alberts, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Craig Burden, Wiehahn Herbst, Steven Sykes, Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Meyer Bosman, Riaan Viljoen.
