He was at the height of his powers in 2003 when he made his debut for the All Blacks against Tonga, won the Under 21 World Cup in England and was named the IRB Under 21 Player of the Year.
To cap off the year, he was in the Auckland team that lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury 40-31 and beat Wellington 41-29 to win the NPC.
His progress was stalled after 2003 because of chronic knee problems and a run of injuries.
"That early rise to prominence was a bit of a shock and I gradually realised where my place was in New Zealand rugby."
Atiga (28) has failed to get back into the All Blacks and has had time to reflect on his rugby over the last eight years.
The foundation for Atiga's year of glory in 2003 started when he was called into the New Zealand Sevens team and reached peak fitness under the influence of Gordon Tietjens.
He was called into the All Black World Cup team in Australia as a replacement and was named as No 22 for the test against Tonga.
It was a bit scary because Atiga had not trained with the All Blacks and did not know the moves.
"Everything had happened really fast and I was quite shocked," he said. "I was only 20-years-old and was a nervous wreck. It took a long time to sink in and was a big learning curve for me."
His first test cap was special because he has Tongan heritage.
"My mother's Tongan and my father's Samoan," he said. "I always get the leading question from both sides who ask whom I'm going to play for.
"I've always told them that I'll play for New Zealand because I can't make up my mind," he said.
Atiga kept battling on for the next five years, but it was hard work because of the niggling injuries.
"I was drained at the end of the NPC in 2008 and just wanted a break," he said.
He wanted time to analyse his rugby and also his life outside rugby.
"I had lost touch with my family, wanted to spend more time with them, and re-assess the things that were important to me." The year away from all rugby was beneficial to Atiga.
"I needed to get away from the rugby circle and just refresh myself," he said.
His return was sparked by a charity match to raise relief funds after the tsunami in Samoa.
Atiga played with Jeff Wilson and Christian Cullen who were his heroes when growing up.
He also made contact with the Auckland team again.
"I got back into that environment and it reeled me back in," he said. "It sparked me up and I decided I wanted to come back in. The passion, excitement and enjoyment came back. I enjoyed the camaraderie."
His immediate rugby goal is to have a good year with Otago and pick up a Super Rugby contract.
