He still has his eye on that prize, but it is for this Friday only and it is wearing Hawkes Bay colours, and not the blue and gold.
The 25-year-old started his first-class career playing for Otago, while studying for a surveying degree at the University of Otago.
An age group national player, Berquist played for the University Blue colts side, alongside current Otago players Adam Thomson and Tom Donnelly, and then moved up to University A.
He also toured China with the University club.
After a couple of impressive club seasons, he was picked for the Otago side in 2003.
He played three games that season and was then picked up by the Highlanders the following year, and a career for Otago beckoned.
But it never quite happened as the script envisaged and a shaky 2004 season for Otago, not helped by a dismal team showing, saw Berquist out of the Otago picture.
"I think I lost a bit of confidence and they [coaches] lost a bit of confidence in me. Things were not going that well, and I had to look around elsewhere," he said.
After a total of 11 games for the union he was not picked for Otago in 2005, so other options were considered.
Berquist decided to go home to the Bay to try his luck in the Hawkes Bay side as it eyed a return to the top division.
Now in his third season with the side, and fresh off a flawless kicking performance in Hawkes Bay's big 41-6 win over Tasman, Berquist said he was just happy to be playing well for Hawkes Bay, and any talk of revenge against Otago was dismissed.
"That was all a few years ago now. That is not going to be a focus for me or anyone else now."
He is likely to be joined in the backline on Friday night by two other Otago old boys - halfback Danny Lee, and centre Jason Shoemark.
Hawkes Bay lies fifth on the table, just one place below Otago, and Berquist said the side was looking for some consistency.
"We've had a loss, win, loss, win so we need to get some consistency to our game. To get two in a row is the main focus.
"Otago will be tough. They are always tough on their home track. We didn't play them last year, so they'll be out to get us."
Berquist made the Hurricanes training squad earlier this season, and New Zealand Maori last year, but said he was happy just playing for Hawkes Bay at this stage.
