Now back in Warriors colours, Chanel Harris-Tavita has no regrets over his decision to take a year away from rugby league.
In 2022, as the Warriors limped towards their worst-ever NRL finish, the news that Harris-Tavita - a homegrown player - announced he was leaving the club and the game altogether was another blow for a team struggling to find its identity.
Harris-Tavita always maintained he would pursue travel and writing in his year away, and spent most of 2023 on his uncle's farm in Samoa.
While he was away, the Warriors experienced a resurgence under coach Andrew Webster to finish fourth on the competition ladder, eventually falling in preliminary final to Brisbane Broncos.
In May, Harris-Tavita's return was confirmed and last month saw him return to pre-season training, after his own three-week programme to make up for a year out of action.
While returning to the NRL will be a huge step after a season out, what Harris-Tavita learned about himself is invaluable.
"I'm really happy to be back," he said. "I'm three weeks in now, the body's still adjusting to the training, but I'm enjoying being back with the team.
"I wouldn't have known what it was like, if I didn't take that step away from the game.
"To take a step back and then come back to it, it's made me appreciate what I have here and the opportunity I have as a rugby league player."
Like the rest of New Zealand, Harris-Tavita, 24, also rode the wave of the Warriors' incredible 2023 campaign.
From a 15th-placed finish in 2022 when he left the club, the Warriors won 17 games in his absence and returned to the top eight for the first time since 2018.
While geography proved the biggest hindrance to him watching the side he would return to, Harris-Tavita likes what he's already seen.
"It was a bit of happiness and a bit of FOMO [fear of missing out]," he added. "I was in Samoa watching them play.
"If anyone's been to Samoa, it's Digicel, the data's not great there. I was watching on Facebook Live.
"It was just cutting in and out, the score was constantly changing. I kept a close eye on them, it's one of the reasons I came back to this club.
"I saw a lot of potential - I think we can go a step further next year."
Where he'll play is still uncertain, with five halves already on the Warriors books.
Shaun Johnson is arguably the face of the club and the game in New Zealand, after a career-best season that saw him narrowly miss out on the NRL's Dally M Medal.
Te Maire Martin is a test quality half and hasn't put a foot wrong in the No.6 jersey, while Luke Metcalf is one of the most exciting prospects in the game.
Ronald Volkman is also still contracted for 2024 and despite appearing to be down the pecking order, he has never let the Warriors down when called upon.
While known as a half, Harris-Tavita has also played at fullback for the Warriors and at hooker for Samoa at test level.
Quizzed about what jumper he'll wear next season, Harris-Tavita hinted his versatility will undoubtedly be valuable to Webster, who faces the prospect of losing powerhouse front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake in the near future.
"Now that Addin's leaving, I think Webby wants me to put on a bit of weight and fill that role," joked Harris-Tavita.
"There's lots of competition, not just in the halves, but across the team. Everyone's going to put their best foot forward and that's only going to make the team better.
"Everyone's asking me where I'm going to play, where have they signed you? They've signed me as a half, but wherever Webby wants me to play, that's where I'm going to play."
Playing into Harris-Tavita's hands, though, is the admiration of his new coach.
It was Webster who got the ball rolling to get Harris-Tavita back to the club, when the pair worked together with Toa Samoa at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in England.
And while Harris-Tavita didn't take up that offer right away, now that he's back with the Warriors, Webster is more than happy with what's being shown on the training pitch.
"Lucky man... got to travel the world for 12 months and comes back into a job," said Webster. "He's a legend, he's a great guy.
"His work ethic is unbelievable, he wants to get better. He's passionate about improvements, as opposed to the end goal. He's obviously very motivated on that, but every day he wants to get better at his craft.
"For a guy who has had 12 months off, he's started pretty damn good."
