Puketoi have pulled off a major coup for their senior first division rugby side.
Taking up the role of player-coach for the Pongoroa-based club in the 2012 season is Amasio Valence, a Fijian-born 33-year-old who has earned himself a huge reputation in the sevens and 15-a-side games.
At sevens, he is the only player to have won three Commonwealth Games gold medals, being part of the New Zealand squad that took the honours in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
And if that isn't impressive enough then how about the fact that, just recently, the revered New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens named him in his "fantasy" world side.
In 15-a-side, Valence played for the Blues Super squad as a utility back in 2001 and has represented Auckland and North Harbour on the provincial front as well having a lengthy stint in Japan.
Puketoi stalwart and former long-time Wairarapa-Bush rep Bruce Bowie told the Times-Age that Valence's services had been keenly sought by the club for several weeks and he was "absolutely thrilled" they had finally got a positive response.
"Having a player of his calibre to learn off is huge for our players, the vibes up here are amazing," he said.
Two young Fijian backs, who are already showing promise, have also joined the Puketoi line-up and Bowie is optimistic that once the appointment of Valence is more widely known, the club's playing resources will be boosted even more.
"Right now, we are still a little bit on the thin side numbers-wise but we are making good progress in that regard and he (Valence) should be just what we need to build enthusiasm," Bowie said.
"We are actually pretty excited about how things are shaping up."
While Valence himself has yet to confirm his availability, or otherwise, for Wairarapa-Bush in the Heartland championship head coach Mark Rutene sees even having him as part of the local club scene as a big tonic for the sport here.
"How often do you have players with that sort of background popping up in this area, he'll have a lot to offer in all sorts of ways," Rutene said.
Judging by the win of Carterton at a sevens tournament held in Greytown last week, the impact of Fijian players in the Wairarapa -Bush senior first division competition in 2012 should be immense.
There were a number of players from that country in the successful Carterton line-up and Gladstone are also expected to have a good muster of them as well.
The news is not as nearly bright for Featherston, however, with the South Wairarapa club having to withdraw from the 2012 senior first division series because of a shortage of players.
There have been rumours Marist are facing similar problems but they were hopeful of retaining their position in the top flight.