And winning plenty of admirers too.
But now Jackson Hemopo, off the back of two impressive seasons at first-class level, is making strides in a Highlanders strip.
Hemopo (24) may be only a pup in the Highlanders - he has played just 14 games for the franchise - but he made his first-class debut in 2012.
The first year out of Palmerston North Boys' High School, Hemopo scored a try for Otago inside five minutes in his first game at first-class level, against Tasman in a national provincial championships semifinal.
Now some six seasons later, after winning player of the year accolades and seemingly carrying the Green Island club on his back for years, Hemopo appears to have confidently made the leap to Super Rugby level.
The lock, who can also play on the blindside or No8 at a pinch, said he was enjoying the time in the Super Rugby saddle but it was still early days.
''I've just got to be a bit more physical. I have not taken my opportunities when they have come along. I just need to nail that. Just a bit of ball carry and a bit of tackle as well,'' he said.
''I'm happy with cracking the starting role in the past few games and, hopefully, I can keep working hard and keep that spot.''
He made his debut for the franchise when the Highlanders were in the middle of a locking crisis in the title-winning season in 2015. A decent display earned him a wider squad contract the following year although he never made it on the field for the side in 2016.
Last year, as his game grew, he got on the bench and then started the last three games of the season, including the memorable win over the British and Irish Lions.
Now he is front and centre for the Highlander engine room and loving his job
''I have got one more year with the Landers. I would love to stay round ... I think I am learning from all the guys around me. I look up to a lot of the players around me and learning from them every day.''
Hemopo has played for Green Island all that time - expect for a season with Southern - and said the time in the Green Island jersey was a real bonus for him.
''I have been out there for a few years, and played a bit of club rugby. I've been playing club rugby there since leaving school. They have made me what I am today.''
Club rugby and Super Rugby though are chalk and cheese. The ball and trylines may be the same but that is where the similarities about end.
''It is a whole lot different. Your role changes, your job changes with the Highlanders. The physicality and speed is a whole another level.''
Hemopo will get a stern test of his abilities on Friday night against the Chiefs, who have All Black lock Brodie Retallick in their arsenal. Hemopo, who is not far off finishing a building apprenticeship, said Retallick was a dangerous player.