Kees Meeuws is just doing what he always wanted to do.
Being the oldest player in the ITM Cup does not faze him. In fact, he says when he played overseas, props could play well into their late 30s.
"Age is a mental thing. I may be 36 years young but I feel like I have the mental passion of a 25-year-old and trying to play like that," he said.
"The body still feels good. The older you get, you learn more about your body and how to manage it and make sure you're ready to play.
"Even when I was young I always wanted to be a guy who could play well into their late 30s. I'm still really enjoying the game, so why not?
"The region gave me so much, my first break at the big time, so there is a huge debt for me to repay."
Meeuws made his first-class debut in 1994 for Auckland, before moving to Otago in 1997. He played 42 tests for the All Blacks then headed to France and Wales.
He came back to Otago in 2009 for an initial six-week period and two years later is still around, having racked up 61 games for the union.
His first period with Otago was undoubtedly more successful than this spell, as Otago has struggled in the provincial championship of recent years.
Meeuws wants to be part of the revival and believes things are being done slightly differently this season.
"As a leadership group we've had a look at what we did last year and identified a few things where we could do better.
"I think we concentrated too much on the rugby side of it. This time it is more about the whole team and staying together on and off the field. We have a good squad and there is competition within the squad for positions.
"Last year it was under-performance by the players and I think we've got to acknowledge this year we've just got to be the very best we can be."
Meeuws said given the congested competition, being consistent at the breakdown and being positive throughout the game was the key.
Meeuws will be vital to a strong Otago scrum, though he ran into some officials last season who did not always see his point of view.
"The hierarchy who are not playing the game are the ones trying to fix the game. The longer pause now by the referees just creates more problems. You've got to have rhythm. The way it is being done now it is being set up to fail. You've got to really let the game flow.
"It [scrum] is still a key area of the game. But the way the rules are it will slowly fade from the game. Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes to be able to play. Do we want it that rugby sort of turns into a game of league with 15 flankers out there?"
Meeuws is bound to get through plenty of work tonight as the forecast poor weather may turn the match into a forward battle.
This is a season to regain credibility for Otago. The only way is up after last place in 2010.
A swag of new players have been brought into the side, and it will be interesting to see how they perform. The pre-season has shown promise.
The Highlanders have given some positive feeling to rugby in Otago over the past six months. Now Otago must continue that.
The likes of centre Ben Atiga, midfield back Sam Giddens and loose forward Regan Tamihere have been given a lifeline by Otago and need to make the most of it.
Tom Donnelly is probably the next cab off the rank if any lock gets injured in the national side, so he needs to have a consistent season.
The compressed nature of the season means squad depth will be tested, and some of the more experienced players such as halfback Sean Romans and hooker Jason Macdonald have to stand up and be counted.
Much rests on returning first five-eighth Tony Brown, who last played for Otago in 2003.
OTAGO v NORTH HARBOUR
- Carisbrook, tonight, 7.35pm
• Otago: Glenn Dickson, Joe Hill, Ben Atiga, Sam Giddens, Buxton Popoali'i, Tony Brown, Sean Romans, Gareth Evans, Eben Joubert (captain), Regan Tamihere, Tom Donnelly, Daniel Ramsay, Kees Meeuws, Jason Macdonald, Halani Aulika.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, James McGougan, Scott Manson, Rob Verbakel, TJ Ioane, Johnny Legg, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes.
• North Harbour: Codey Rei, David Raikuna, Rudi Wulf, Brendon Watt, Nafi Tuitavake, Ben Botica, Chris Smylie (captain), Mat Luamanu, Brent Wilson, Solomon King, James King, Chris Smith, Ben Afeaki, James Parsons, Michael Reid.
Reserves: Michael Mayhew, Taione Vea, James Afoa, Irwin Finau, Scott Uren, Luke Hamilton, Willie Walker, Ken Pisi.
• Referee: Glen Jackson.
• TAB odds: Otago $1.62, North Harbour $2.20
ITM CUP 2011
- The contenders
• Championship
Canterbury is looking to go for four in a row but it will not be easy and its depth will be severely tested. Auckland will be a contender, as will Waikato, although one wonders how it can be competitive after posting a huge financial loss. Same with Southland, while Bay of Plenty has made some interesting signings but will miss Mike Delany, who has moved to Japan.
Taranaki will quietly go about its work and Wellington, as usual, has plenty of depth but may struggle in the front row. The sub-plot to the season is how many former All Blacks who are not wanted by the national selectors will hang around or bale out early for their new contracts overseas. The weather is also going to play a huge part as July and August are never the warmest of months.
- Tip: Auckland
• Premiership
If anything, this is going to be more cut-throat than the Championship. Hawkes Bay finished top of the bottom seven last year and has lost only captain Jason Shoemark. The union has plenty of financial backing and will be hard to bowl at home. Counties-Manukau is always unpredictable and has some powerful backs.
Northland will rely on the likes of Rene Ranger and Jared Payne, while Tasman has plenty of battlers and will not give up. North Harbour, if it can put it all together, may be a serious threat, though much depends on new coach Liam Barry. Manawatu's hopes rely on the inside back pairing of Aaron Cruden and Aaron Smith. Otago, with a new-look side, just has to win early on and get some momentum into its season.
- Tip: Hawkes Bay
