He is the only Bay of Plenty Steamers captain to lift the Ranfurly Shield in triumph.
Now Wayne Ormond is hoping to take Rotoiti to similar heights in the Baywide club rugby premiership, which kicks off tomorrow.
During the height of his career Ormond was a hard-nosed flanker who went close to making the All Blacks end-of-season tour in 2004.
A tackle from Ormond was a chiropractor's bread and butter and his ability to scrounge for the ball was like seagulls scrapping over a stray chip at the lakefront.
Now the 35-year-old has taken a new direction in his rugby career - he has added player/coach to his impressive resume that last year also included a brief stint back with the Steamers in the ITM Cup as waterboy.
The Rotoiti coach got his first taste in the role when his side took on and beat Waikite 22-10 in the semifinal of the Banner Round two weeks ago.
Last Saturday Ormond's young side downed Whakarewarewa 25-12 to win the Geyser Land Challenge Shield and Banner.
It's Ormond's first season as a coach and he admitted he's still finding his feet.
"It's a total different role but I am [enjoying it]. You're learning different skills and I suppose on the other side is trying to manage players. Whereas as a player you just go out and do your own thing and worry about your own job, here you've sort of got to worry about your players' management."
Rotoiti have a blend of youth and experience throughout the team especially in the forwards where Ormond felt his team's strength lay. Although his pack wasn't the biggest, what they lack in size they make up for in speed and agility.
"Well we scored three tries against Waikite, they've got a big forward pack. When I say our forwards were strong it's probably around lineouts and hopefully mobility around the field," Ormond said.
"That is what we are going to have to use [in this competition] is height and mobility. In the front rows we probably don't have the experience other clubs might have. But in saying that they're young and keen. Hopefully with that youth it will get us through the season."
Ormond played 65 games for the Steamers from 1999 to 2005, scoring 11 tries. He was the captain of the Ranfurly Shield-winning Steamers in 2004, a moment he still cherishes.
Getting the chance to give back to Rotoiti who helped give him that opportunity was a huge motivation for taking up a coaching role at the club.
"It's about giving back to the team I've played for in the past ... with my first year [in the role] I think it's like everyone else, to try and make the top four.
"But my personal goal is to push guys to higher honours and make them better players from when they come into the club."
Ormond said he hadn't given up the chance to lace up the old rugby boots and still had the fire in the belly to get on the paddock as well.