Johnny Leota, the Highlanders midfield back, is extra keen to play the Bulls on Saturday night in his home town.
Born and bred in the city, Leota said he could not wait to get home and sleep in the house he bought last year.
"I miss my house. I want to see that my sister is looking after my house all right. She is staying there at the moment," Leota said.
Leota (25), a draft player from Manawatu, is in his second year with the Highlanders.
He said friends and family from Palmerston North had been contacting him about the Bulls game.
"There seems to be a bit of excitement of the game being played up there."
Leota said it was a bold move to take the game to Palmerston North but the city was bound to get in behind the Highlanders.
He said his game this year had started off well but he was sometimes guilty of throwing a few too many risky passes.
"I sort of know what to expect this year. I'm not as hyped up as last year, when I was playing at 100 miles an hour.
"Peter [Russell, Highlanders assistant coach] is helping me out with my decision-making and trying to make me be a bit calmer during the game. Making me think more as a player."
Leota started the first three games but was rested for the match against the Crusaders and rested again in last Saturday's victory over the Cheetahs, though he got on in the second half.
He is signed with the Manawatu union until 2010 and said he was looking to have a complete break after the Super 14 to give his body a rest.
The Bulls would be tough and were a typical South African side, he said.
"They are big up front, with a kicking game. They'll try the bully tactics, I reckon. We have to meet their physicality and use our skills to get around them."
He said the side wanted to get back-to-back wins and Saturday's match was almost a make-or-break game.
Leota's partner is Liana Barrett-Chase, a New Zealand netball representative and Southland Steel member.
They are based in Dunedin during the netball and rugby seasons, and this year they brought their daughter, Brooklyn (6), south.
"We left her up in Palmerston North last year but we wanted her down her this year. She is loving it at George St Normal School.
"She loves the swimming lessons, the guitar lessons. We have to pay for those in Palmerston North. But she misses her cousins and friends back home."
Leota said after eight years he was getting used to netball, although he was no fan of the club game.
"That can be pretty terrible at times. But the transtasman stuff is good to watch."
Leota said his partner could beat him on the fitness beep test, and was more competitive but he was stronger and faster.
