Fijian World Rugby Sevens team member Nemani Nagusa came to New Zealand to learn how to play fifteens rugby.
On the evidence of his match-starring performance for Border in its 23-6 Wanganui rugby semifinal win on Saturday, he's a very quick learner. Nagusa scored the game-breaking try with a charge down of Pirates' kingpin Denning Tyrell's clearing kick and an irresistible surge, made many a tough foray into Pirates territory off the back of the scrum and also revealed real lineout ability.
All-in-all, he was a much more efficient - and therefore more dynamic - package than when he last visited the park not long after his arrival a few weeks ago.
And it was a clear message to rep selector Jason Caskey that he can do the job in the Heartland competition.
Indeed he showed a developing skill at getting back to cover weak points as much as he showed an ability to power forward.
Now the big fellow is looking forward to crossing swords with Ruapehu's undoubted forward strength in next Saturday's final at the park.
He's met some of his opposition at Wanganui rep trainings, but he hadn't arrived on the scene when Border played its only match against Ruapehu this season - and was savaged 55-7 in the cold at Ohakune.
"I didn't play last time against the strong mountain guys," Nagusa said. "But we'll see how we go - we'll see next week."
Nagusa explains why he came to Wanganui:
"I came over to start off my 15s this year. New Zealand was my best option for me - and I've developed and I'm really enjoying myself."
Especially against Pirates' big Pacific Island loosies Tafa Tauialoto and Lasa Ulukuta. The three of them went at it with a will, with Nagusa clearly the best off the sounder forward base.
"They're good players and I respect them. We go hard at each other, we like the physical stuff."
Border meets Ruapehu, which battled away against a very game Kaierau side at Ohakune before getting an edge late in the game for a 14-5 win.
In the final, new boy Nagusa will battle it out with Ruapehu veteran and former Wanganui heartland skipper David Gower - also one of the standouts in his team's victory.
The individual battle will be one of the keys to the final.