World traveler reaches the Border

Sekonaia Kalou made his debut for Border on Friday night in Waverley, having left Fiji in the early hours of the morning.

Waverley Harvesting Border were able to make their big reveal under lights on Friday as the latest former international test player to join Tasman Tanning Premier jogged onto Dallison Park.

And for towering lock Sekonaia Kalou, it had been a whirlwind rush to make it to play the second half of the 7pm game, having arrived at the airport in Fiji at 5.30am that morning for the start of a 2600km journey.

Border coach Justin Lock had previously confirmed the South Taranaki club was looking to secure a major lock talent, but further details were kept hush-hush until the final legal paperwork was signed off for Kalou to come to New Zealand.

"He comes with a background and he's a good size," said Lock.

"Hopefully we can get a good season out of him."

The 33-year-old had to admit that flying between countries and playing a match the same day was a first in his already impressive amateur and professional career.

Facing Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri also allowed for an unexpected reunion as utility back Emosi Vucago was a former team mate from their provincial team and the Fijian Under 20's squad from back in the day.

Able to play lock or flanker, Kalou is very familiar with Heartland club and representative rugby - having moved to North Otago as an up-and-coming prospect in 2005-6.

His abilities were quickly recognised as he was snapped up by the Otago Rugby Union in 2007 - making his NPC debut in Week 9 of the competition against Auckland at Eden Park, a 32-21 loss.

Kalou would play for Otago through until 2010, when he made his test debut for Fiji that June against Australia.

He would play all of Fiji's matches in the 2010 Pacific Nations Cup, starting at lock in the wins over Japan and Tonga, before they were beaten by tournament winners Samoa, while then earning two more caps in the 2011 tournament against Tonga and Samoa.

The highlight was his selection in the Fiji team for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, coming off the bench in their win over Namibia in the opening Pool D game at Rotorua, and starting at lock in the defeat to Samoa, which was played in front of over 60,000 fans at Eden Park.

Kalou would move to the Northern Hemisphere, playing professionally in France for two seasons as well as Italy.

In recruiting Kalou, Lock said he had been in consultation with the Fiji development coach, who told him that the veteran was one of the few overseas Fijian internationals who eventually returned home to rejoin the local competition - as Kalou did last year - looking to give back to the game.

He had all the qualities of a good team man, Lock said.

Kalou will slot into a strong Border pack, although they are currently dealing with a lot of injuries amongst the loose forwards.

He is the latest fully-capped test player to join the local club scene, with Austrian Max Navas linking up with Utiku Old Boys in early April.

Whanganui rugby fans will get to see Kalou when Border take on Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Spriggens Park on Saturday.