The prodigal son returned yesterday with some sage advice for the Wanganui City College junior rugby academy squad.
The former student is now in his second season with the Chiefs, the current leaders of the Super Rugby conference, and on the wing Asaeli (Tiks) Tikoirotuma has been the most regularly chosen back in the starting line-up this season.
The Fijian-born 27-year-old (turns 28 next month) scored four tries in one game last season and has just a couple in the 2013 competition to date. However, he still holds the record for most City College 1st XV tries in a season with 28.
Yesterday Tiks took time out of his busy schedule to tackle a question/answer session with the junior academy lads, several of whom are current 1st XV players.
"Knowing what you want to achieve and striving for it by putting in the hard yards is one of the most important things - so is team bonding," Tikoirotuma said.
The hard yards included pre-season training.
"Pre-season training is probably the hardest part. Sometimes to feel like you don't want to play rugby anymore."
With just four to six weeks off team training between seasons at Super Rugby level, Tikoirotuma told the lads he uses that time for rehab and refreshing the body.
The success of the Chiefs so far this season could be attributed to team philosophy.
"For us at the Chiefs it's about family. We are one big family before anything else."
And asked if the Chiefs could hang on to win this year's competition?
"That's a tough question. There's some very good teams in this competition and it will come down to who has the best mindset," Tikoirotuma said.
He tempered his wise advice with a touch of humour at times during yesterday's session, especially when asked if he had ever played rugby league.
"No, but I wanted to - it looks like you don't have to think much."
Tikoirotuma said he had fond memories of his time at City College, not the least of which was meeting and subsequently marrying his high school sweetheart.
His wife Carolyn was deputy head girl when they met at City College and after marrying in 2008 they have three children.
And how has that worked out?
The wider Wanganui rugby fraternity will also have fond memories of the talented back.
Tikoirotuma played five seasons with the Wanganui Heartland team, winning national Heartland Player of the Year in 2009. He also had three seasons playing ITM Cup for Manawatu, aiding them to the final of the ITM Cup Championship in 2011.
He left the junior academy squad with one bit of advice to ponder: "It's all up to you. If you have the talent, don't muck around - do the hard yards and have patience," Tikoirotuma said.