Lee Allan, the youngest of seven children in his family, is a new boy in the team this year but he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Otago coach Tony Brown.
Brown hailed from Kaitangata, debuting for Otago as a 20-year-old.
Allan, also from the South Otago town, has done the same, making his debut this year before blowing out 21 candles on his birthday cake.
He said Brown was the player he looked up to when he was growing up.
"I've always been a true blue Otago man. We used to get a season's ticket every year and I'd go along with the old man to watch all the games, watching Tony Brown," Allan said yesterday.
"He was my idol back then and it was quite intimidating at the start knowing he was the coach. But he is like any guy: a really good bloke who loves his rugby and is easy to get on with."
Allan had a bit to do with Brown before this Otago season kicked off, going over to Japan about this time last year to work with the Otago coach at his other gig, assisting the Panasonic Wild Knights in the Japanese top league.
"They wanted a guy over there just to help them out as they had a few injuries. I loved it. Something different and I helped them out as well as taught a bit, too. The rugby is not as physical but is very fast."
Allan enjoyed a four-month stint in Japan and came back to continue his rugby education.
A good season for his Kaikorai club saw him picked in the Otago squad this season, and starting a few matches in the openside flank role. It is something new for him, having spent the majority of his short rugby career at No 8 or on the blindside flank.
"I played a bit back there in high school but nothing at this level. I'm in a way still trying to understand the position. The lucky thing is here we have got quite a few opensiders in the team, who are quite experienced, so they help me out."
He said getting three All Blacks - Adam Thomson, Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison - back into the team this week for the final against Counties-Manukau was a huge boost for Otago.
"It will be awesome to get those guys in. Just the experience they can give and that really helps us young fellas out."
Allan has been playing in pain since popping his ribs in the game against Auckland. Having an injection before the game was just part of the game.
Allan will be forced to break the pain barrier again this week, as Otago faces up to Counties-Manukau in the ITM Cup championship final.
"It is a massive game for us. Probably the biggest game of our careers.
"They are big blokes. There is no doubt about that. The key to winning the game is our defence. Once they get a roll-on they can be quite difficult to stop. So we need to stop them before that happens."
Allan was part of an impressive South Otago High School First XV in 2009, playing with Matt Faddes and Tony Ensor, who are now in the Otago squad.
"I think we were lucky in that we just played together since we were in nappies and then you start knowing where guys are going to go, and combinations just come together."
