Dillon Hunt likes to dive around the Otago coast, is studying zoology at university and is an explorer at heart.
He is also branching into a new job on the field.
Hunt first made the Highlanders in 2017 as an openside flanker, going from a pre-season training squad addition to playing in 12 games throughout the year.
He has been in and out of the side over the past two seasons but now finds himself a new role with the number six on his back.
Hunt (24) said he enjoyed the blindside flanker role.
‘‘It is reasonably similar to playing seven but there was a couple of different things. Being in the middle of the field, there is a bit more contact and physicality,’’ he said.
‘‘I like to run with the ball and you get a bit more opportunity at six and I was quite happy to get those extra opportunities. I have trained a bit there with pre-season so it was not the first full run there.’’
Hunt was in no rush to put some extra muscle on his frame.
‘‘I did that last year and I sort of found I slowed down a little bit. The focus for me is more on my game than putting on weight. I got up to 109kg, which is pretty heavy for me. Now I’m back down to 104kg and that is more suitable for me. I’m a bit more agile on this weight.’’
The former All Black was just happy to get on the field. He said the side had always had depth in the loose forwards, and that was continuing this year.
Hunt came to Dunedin as a fresh-faced surveying student from Westlake Boys’ High School, not yet old enough to buy a beer.
Now, seven years later, he admits he is the only one left.
‘‘I don’t think there are any friends still here that I came down with. That just shows the nature of university — you go after three years. But that is not what happened to me. I’m now with a bunch of good guys here.
‘‘I make a point to get out and explore where possible. You hear about some people who live in the town and never see the other side of the peninsula. We have different groups here in the team and try and get out and explore.’’
He enjoyed diving around the peninsula and going up to Moeraki and Shag Point, fishing for paua and crayfish.
He enjoyed getting away from rugby.
‘‘You need to find that balance. If you get too involved thinking about rugby, outside of rugby you get bogged down. You need to take the time to rest and refresh and do the things you enjoy.’’
He was doing a zoology degree on marine mammals and conservation.
‘‘You just have to keep the mind going and look at different things.’’