Culum Retallick is playing the best rugby of his life and is flourishing with regular starts in the high-flying Blues team.
The 27-year-old Retallick, who has played 59 games for the Steamers since 2007, has formed one of the best locking partnerships in the Super Rugby competition with All Blacksveteran Ali Williams and has put himself in contention as an outside chance of making the All Blacks this year.
But it has not been all plain sailing for the likeable 1.99m, 114kg giant.
He is missing his close family unit while living away from them in Auckland.
Retallick's partner and two children, aged 8 years and 19 months, have stayed home in Mount Maunganui and Retallick admits it has been tough being away from them for long periods.
"We didn't want to have to change schools, so they come up and stay on some weekends with me in the place I share with Luke Braid," Retallick said.
"It is a bit hard, obviously, having a young family and not being able to be there all the time and help out. It has been tough. In the past we have moved around together but now we have to cherish the time we spend together.
"It can be a bit lonely and it is a bit selfish at times but my (partner) is very supportive and it is probably harder on them."
Retallick struggled for game time at the Highlanders last year, and at the Chiefs in 2010 and 2011, but he is loving being a regular starter in the supercharged Blues pack.
"I came off the bench a lot last year and it makes it hard to get a combination going, so it has been good, the coaches have shown faith in me and I am able to get out there and play."
Retallick was not sure how the Blues would go when he joined them after their poor performances in 2012.
"I thought we can't do any worse than last year. There was no pressure on us coming into the season. With a young group of guys they are always wanting to prove themselves and everyone got stuck in and did a lot of hard work in the pre-season. We are reaping the benefits of that."
Joining up with the Bay of Plenty team after the Super Rugby season ends is something Retallick always looks forward to. "The thing about the Bay is there are a few good leaders there like Lats (Tanerau Latimer) and (Chris) Noaksy and I can add my experience to them. Looking forward to it."
