The flying winger has been on the go all season, whatever jersey he has been wearing.
He first turned out for Otago in the first weekend of the year, starring at the national sevens tournament in Queenstown, where he helped the side make it to the final.
Now, more than 10 months later, he is still doing the business in the blue and gold jersey, and hopes to help Otago win the ITM Cup Championship final against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe tomorrow night.
In between, he made nine appearances for the Highlanders.
"I feel fine. That is what you are paid to do, play rugby, and that is what I am doing. The way we play anyway is a bit like sevens, only with a bit more contact," he said.
Popoali'i pops up all over the paddock and can also kick a ball with some skill.
"Playing at the stadium is awesome. It is like playing on AstroTurf. The coaches want us to express ourselves and in the end what is good for the team is also good for the individual.
"At the start of the year it looked as though we weren't even going to have a team. But guys still came along to all the training. Even if they weren't getting paid they still came along.
"But look at us now. It is great to get all that support and not only from Dunedin but all the other places around the region."
The nippy winger has started every game for the province this season, being substituted for the final 20 minutes against Manawatu and the last six minutes against Southland.
He was part of the team that lost to Counties-Manukau when they clashed on September 14, and Popoali'i said the side had learned plenty from that game.
"They have got a massive forward pack who, if we allow them to get ball, can get the ball to their backs who can be dangerous. We just need to stick to our structures and not allow them that ball.
"Having the All Blacks back for us is a huge boost and it will really help all us young fellas."
Popoali'i may only be 22 - he will turn 23 next month - but he has been on the first-class scene since 2008 and this is his second year with Otago, after starting his career with Wellington.
He was in the Highlanders wider training squad last season but ended up spending most of the season with the full squad as injuries played havoc with the outside backs.
Popoali'i said he had not heard anything from the Highlanders about next season. That was his priority but if it did not happen, he could always turn his hand to sevens.
He played for the New Zealand sevens side last year and with his twinkling feet and speed off the mark, is a natural at the sport.
The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro could be a possibility but for Popoali'i, that is a long way away.
He will head back to Wellington after the season, and then spend a few days in Sydney with his mother.
He also plans to spend time in his home village of Mali'i, in Samoa, and visit all his uncles and aunts. Being an only child, it would be good to get back and meet his relatives, he said.
