Horie (26), the Japanese test hooker, has landed in Dunedin and has some big ambitions to fulfil on the field in the next few months.
Horie, who speaks limited English, is a livewire rake who has already played 17 tests for his country, including three appearances at last year's World Cup.
He will be joined in Dunedin by international team-mate, halfback Fumiaki Tanaka, at the end of the month, with both of them keen to wear the blue and gold of Otago.
Because of Otago's current tight financial position, neither Japanese player could be offered a contract.
But Horie was hoping his play would force him into the Otago side, and then the next step up with luck.
Although he is contracted to the Panasonic Wild Knights for the next year, Horie's goal is to play Super 15 and he wants to turn out for the Highlanders.
He said he knew he first had to play well for his club, and then hopefully Otago, but he was not going to leave any stone unturned in trying to fulfil his dream.
New Zealand rugby is not new to Horie. He was part of the Canterbury academy system for two seasons, about four years ago, when he played with the likes of Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read.
He tried to stay in the Canterbury system but eventually went back to Japan and linked up with the Wild Knights, where current Otago coach Tony Brown was playing and coaching.
Brown kept an eye on him and has encouraged both Horie and Tanaka (27) to come and have a crack at rugby in New Zealand.
Brown said selection for Otago would rely on club form.
Horie has linked with the Zingari-Richmond club, as will Tanaka, and is training with the Otago side during the week.
Horie said the standard of Japanese club rugby had increased greatly, and he was fighting fit after his side, owned by electronics company Panasonic, finished second in the Japanese league.
Horie, who gained an economics degree from Teikyo University, first played rugby when he was 11.
His mother wanted him to get some exercise and through a friend gave rugby a go and has never looked back, he said.
