Southern stalwart Tom Donnelly never thought he would play rugby for any other team other than Otago or the Highlanders, but the former All Black lock has a fresh spring to his step as he prepares for the Super 15 season with the Crusaders.
A Highlander for the last seven years, Donnelly experienced a series of niggles last year which hampered his prospects of getting regular starts in the Super competition and they dashed his hopes of adding to his 15 All Blacks caps earned in 2009 and 2010.
With regular Crusaders and All Blacks lock Brad Thorn cutting his New Zealand ties after the World Cup, a vacancy in the Crusaders middle row occurred and Donnelly decided to leave his old stamping ground for newer pastures.
"It's something definitely out of my comfort zone. I always thought if I played rugby in New Zealand that I'd be blue-and-gold and never leave Dunedin," Donnelly said after a Crusaders training on Wednesday.
"But circumstances change and this was probably the decision I had to make for myself and for my career. It was tough to make because I've been with Otago since 2002 so there's a lot of blue-and-gold running through me and it's a place I love immensely.
"But this is an opportunity for my footy and to get back into the All Blacks."
Donnelly will be competing with Luke Romano and former Highlanders and Hurricanes lock Ross Kennedy as starting partner for All Blacks incumbent Sam Whitelock in the second row.
"Luke had an outstanding season last year and the competition is really healthy. I think everyone who plays rugby in New Zealand wants to be an All Black and I definitely want to get back into the team.
"It's a fantastic team to be part of, but if I don't get there I'll reassess at the end of the year and go from there," Donnelly said.
The 30-year-old, 2m lock said he had been readily accepted into the Crusaders fold and he was now living with a cousin in Christchurch.
"They make you feel so welcome. They make you feel like you're important and part of the team as soon as you walk in the front door – it's like I've been here all my life."
Donnelly said he was well rested and over his niggles and had had a good pre-season preparation.
"I've been able to lift quite a bit of weight and feel a lot stronger and fitter. So I'm really looking forward to playing now, I'm a bit sick of running up and down the field."
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said Donnelly had settled in really well.
"You wouldn't know he hasn't been a Crusader all his life. The guys really like him – he's highly experienced and I think he's enjoying a change in a new environment."