The likes of Casey Laulala, Sitiveni Sivivatu and some guy called Lomu have all come from the school in south Auckland and on to big careers on the paddock.
Siale Piutau (25) is the latest from the rugby nursery but he is taking the long road to a professional rugby career.
Born and bred in Auckland, of Tongan ancestry, he had Laulala as a house master at school while Sivivatu was a few years ahead of him.
"It was a good life there and a great school. I've got a few stories on Casey but I'll keep those to myself," he said.
Piutau played for the First XV but instead of focusing on rugby straight after leaving school he had a gap year in the United Kingdom, living in Huddersfield.
"I played a little bit of rugby there but it was a league-mad town, really. I was going to play for the Huddersfield Giants academy but I came back here and joined the Counties academy."
He made his debut for Counties-Manukau in 2006, starting out on the wing, and has been ever-present since, bringing up 50 games for the province in the final game of the season last year.
"I've had a couple of opportunities with the Chiefs over the past two years with guys getting injured and that but this is the first real chance I've had.
"It is awesome down here - just a totally different culture than what it's like up north.
"Everyone here works a lot harder for each other, helps out any way they can. Up at Counties there are a lot of guys with all the talent but [who] perhaps don't work quite as hard - play more as individuals."
Piutau switched between wing and centre for his province but has started out for the Highlanders on the wing, making his run-on debut against the Bulls in Pretoria.
"I've had about the same amount of time in both positions. They have different lines to run so you've got to be alert with what is going on."
Piutau said the Highlanders had given the ball plenty of air last week against the Cheetahs and though it did not always go to plan it was good to know they could play this way.
The side just had to do a better job with its ball security and take chances that came along, he said.
Piutau had brought his family south with him, wife Blossom and daughters Emma-Paige (4) and Azariyah (2). They were enjoying the southern lifestyle, he said.
"The weather has been awesome so far. Things round here are easier to get to. Everything is 10 minutes away. That's great compared to Auckland traffic."
