Beau Robinson was meant to go hunting with his father during Super Rugby's off-season.
Instead, the flanker is one of a handful of Australians who have invaded the ITM Cup this year and the 27-year-old has turned out for Bay of Plenty.
Robinson has been plagued by a stress fracture in his leg for the past year and made only seven appearances for the Queensland Reds this season.
Playing in New Zealand's provincial competition - something Australian rugby would love to replicate - has offered Robinson the chance to work his way back to full fitness.
"I missed most of the Super Rugby season through injury and I had quite limited game-time and most of my games were off the bench," Robinson said.
"So I was just looking forward to playing some good quality rugby."
Suiting up in the blue and gold hoops of Bay of Plenty was made possible when former Steamers midfielder and Australian international, Steve Kefu - who Robinson knows through their Brisbane club Souths Magpies - got in touch with the province.
"I was looking to actually go over to Thailand to do a bit of rugby coaching for a new business that I'm looking to start," Robinson said of his off-season plans.
"And then I was also going to go out in the country in New South Wales to go hunting with the old man."
That father-son bonding will have to wait though as the Steamers find themselves in a busy stretch of games to hold on to their place in the ITM Cup's Premiership division.
Robinson, a one-test Wallaby in 2011, has been busy in an impressive Bay of Plenty loose forward trio this season, while Steamers wing Kimami Sitauti is another Australian import who played for the Melbourne Rebels this year.
Coming to New Zealand to play in the ITM Cup is proving an attractive option for Australians because if you don't make the national squad there's only the back end of the club season to take part in after Super Rugby has wrapped up - or take a break before a mammoth pre-season with your franchise.
"Obviously for the fringe blokes and the younger blokes who are trying to establish themselves it's pretty hard when you don't get much of an opportunity in Super Rugby, then you have to go back and play at club level and see how you are actually performing and whereabouts you stand," Robinson said.
"So I think it's just a good happy medium to come over here in the ITM [Cup] and really up your skill set."
Melbourne Rebels halfback Nic Stirzaker is one of those fringe players who has pounced on an opportunity.
After the Manawatu Turbos lost rookie No 9 Jamie Booth to a horrific knee injury before the competition got underway, they were in need of something extra at the base of the scrum.
The 22-year-old Stirzaker, who has logged 15 Super Rugby appearances in two years in Melbourne, arrived in Palmerston North and hasn't disappointed.
His electric pace and useful support play have seen him bag three tries in the past two games and he has been one of the bright spots in a winless start to the campaign for the Turbos.
"It's a great competition to be a part of," Stirzaker said. "Obviously there's a lot of history behind it and the [Ranfurly] Shield's causing a lot of excitement at the moment, which is good."
Waikato have also got in on the act with big Rebels prop, Paul Alo-Emile, and Western Force halfback Michael Snowden on the books.
"They've fitted in really well," Waikato coach Johnny Walters said. "All the boys have got around them and made them feel welcome and they're fitting in to the Kiwi way of life."
Walters said they'd never pick an Australian over a local up-and-comer but injuries and late defections forced their hand this season.
South African-born halfback Mark Swanepoel, who made two appearances for the Brumbies this year and has also represented Australia at schoolboy and under-20 level, plays for Tasman, while Northland have former Australian under-20 lock Tom Murday in their ranks.
Coming across the ditch isn't a new phenomenon though. Waratahs wing Peter Betham was a human highlight reel for Tasman last year, while Manawatu also landed Sydney University five-eighth Dan Kelly a couple of seasons ago but injuries got in the way.
Former NRL winger Luke Rooney dropped in for a short stint with Hawkes Bay in 2010 as he looked to learn the game.
