So strong was the lure of returning to NZ Warriors, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck turned down a lucrative two-year contract to make to play rugby in Japan.
After a troubled time in rugby with the Blues, Auckland and the All Blacks, Tuivasa-Sheck, 30, has come back to the 13-man code, re-signing with the Warriors for the 2024 season and beyond.
His return comes amid a Warriors resurgence, after 2023 saw the Auckland club return to the NRL's top eight under first-time head coach Andrew Webster.
Playing for the Blues in an attempt to break into the All Blacks Rugby World Cup plans, Tuivasa-Sheck kept more than one eye on his former club's fortunes.
The former Dally M Medal winner watched the Warriors whenever he could, sometimes attending Go Media Stadium Mt Smart in person. As the reality dawned that his days in New Zealand were numbered, Tuivasa-Sheck had a choice to make.
Like many playing at Super Rugby level, he caught the eye of at least one Japanese club, who was prepared to fork out a large sum to bring him to Rugby League One.
A conversation with Warriors club captain Tohu Harris and stalwart Jazz Tevaga was enough to convince Tuivasa-Sheck to settle for less money and return to his spiritual home.
"I had a Japan deal lined up," he explained. "I was just going to go, take my family, explore the world, see what happens and go from there.
"I came back, went to go through the process, and called Jazz and Tohu, who I was close with, to have a sit-down and a coffee.
"I said, 'Do I just go to Japan, take off and see what happens? Or do I come back, is there something?'
"They both looked at each other and said, 'Bro, there's something here'. That got me excited.
"I had another catch-up with Webby, made the decision to come back and I'm just excited now, because they're excited. They feel something here.
"Hopefully, in the next few years, something special happens."
That doesn't mean Tuivasa-Sheck regrets his time in rugby - far from it.
After setting his sights on the black jersey, Tuivasa-Sheck became All Black No.1204 in mid-2022 and realised a dream that few manage. With those experiences on board, he looks back fondly on his last two years, regardless of how frustrating they might have been.
"I enjoyed it," he said. "I have no regrets going over.
"I would have loved to win a title with Auckland or the Blues, and [play] a bit more for the ABs, but I got to wear the jersey. I've made some awesome friends I'll keep for a long time.
"I really enjoyed my two years there."
Now, the former skipper has another tough ask, earning a spot in the Warriors first-choice 13. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad appears to have a stranglehold on the No.1 jersey, which will likely force Tuivasa-Sheck into the centres.
Displacing either Adam Pompey and Rocco Berry, both of whom enjoyed career-best seasons in 2023, won't be easy, but now fully immersed in pre-season, positional play is still to come for the Warriors, as they prepare for 2024.
One step at a time is all Tuivasa-Sheck can do.
"I've just got to keep turning up and applying myself... keep going out there, have lots of confidence and be that kid again.
"Make those errors, learn from them really quick and keep asking for help. I might be a few years into this industry, but I'm back.
"It's new for me. I've been two years out of the game, so I'm just trying to learn as much as I can."
