Tuimoala Lolohea hopes representing Tonga at the World Cup will put a smile on his face just like playing for Wests Tigers did.
The 22-year-old went through a turbulent year in the NRL, dumped out of the first-grade team at the Warriors, before rediscovering his best form at the Tigers.
He is back in Auckland this week getting ready for Tonga's World Cup preparations and looks set to play a pivotal role in the halves alongside former team-mate Ata Hingano.
"I'm really excited about this World Cup," Lolohea said. "I watched the last one because I was 18. I was keen to play in it, but I guess I was a bit young.
"So I'm looking forward to this World Cup and this year it's been in the back of my head.
"I've wanted the opportunity to represent my little country at it and we should have a strong team."
Lolohea has played two tests for Tonga and one for the Kiwis on their 2015 tour to England.
He was born in Auckland, but has always been proud of his Tongan roots and remembers fondly the last time the local Tongan community got behind a big sporting event, the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where supporters almost brought the airport to a shutdown as they welcomed the team on their arrival.
"There was a massive parade the day they played the All Blacks," Lolohea said.
"I walked up and down Queen Street, holding my Tongan flag and it was crazy.
"Tonga got thrashed (41-10), but I remember when Tonga scored there was so much excitement on the boys' faces.
"They showed how much passion they have for their country."
At previous World Cups, England, Australia and New Zealand have been head and shoulders above the other countries, but there's a feeling that the Pacific Island nations can be more competitive this time.
Changes to the eligibility rules means they are able to include players in their squads who have previously played for the big three.
The Kiwis, who are in the same pool as Samoa and Tonga, are concerned enough that instead of having a wider training squad including players likely to end up in the Tongan or Samoan squads, they're being much more cautious about which fringe players they select.
"That just shows how good this competition can be," Lolohea said.
"Not just for us, but for our fans, they will see people who play week in, week out in the first grade.
"It will be the best against the best and that puts more pressure on the top tier teams."
Lolohea is a happier and more confident figure now, than when he left the Warriors in May to join the Tigers.
He was able to feel settled at five-eighth under Ivan Cleary and that allowed him to enjoy his footy again.
"It's been really good for me and the best thing that's happened to me this year," he said.
"I've loved every moment of it. I miss home but I'm striving to become better and it's helped me a lot with my footy.
"I've got a big smile on my face these days, that's because I'm enjoying my footy over there.
"Win or lose, I have a smile on my face after every game now, because I'm proud of myself to get to where I am, from where I've come from."
The moment to cap it all for Lolohea came in the last game of the season when he scored a try in the 28-16 win over the Warriors.
Lolohea didn't hide his joy in getting one over the club that no longer regarded him as a first grade player.
"It was the best feeling ever to be honest," he beamed.
"I'll never forget that moment and I remember the way I celebrated.
"I let go of everything. Even winning was positive, but any player who leaves a club to play for another club mid year, you're always up for it when you play against them and you're excited.
"That's exactly how I was feeling. When I scored I was excited and when I celebrated, I was just screaming. I was letting out everything."