Cup star checks out future Auckland base

James Arlidge, who is turning out for Japan in the World Cup, hopes to return to NZ and his new house after a two year stint at UK club Nottingham. Photo / Greg Bowker

James Arlidge, who is turning out for Japan in the World Cup, hopes to return to NZ and his new house after a two year stint at UK club Nottingham. Picture/ Greg Bowker

When Kiwi World Cup star James Arlidge touched down in New Zealand, he checked out his new home before checking in with Japan teammates.

As soon as the 32-year-old first five walked off the plane at Auckland airport, wife Anna whisked him away to view their dream family home.

"It all happened quite quickly," said the former Blues player. "I think Anna saw it on the internet on a Monday and she went and viewed it on the Tuesday. On Wednesday I arrived back in the country and went and had a look at it and we put an offer in the next day after that."

Arlidge said his wife had seen close to 40 houses before she spotted "the one".

He was taken to see the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in leafy Remuera before checking in with his team at their hotel in Gulf Harbour. The house was marketed by Bayleys as the "perfect home for young families". Built in the 1940s it's a short walk from Meadowbank Primary in the suburb Arlidge's wife grew up in.

"We quite like it because it's very open plan," he said. "It's got a nice kitchen-dining-living area ... and it opens up on to a nice deck with an enclosed fence around there so it'll be good for the kids to run around in. And it'll be quite easy to keep an eye on them.

"The house just seemed to tick all the boxes and had all the things we were looking for."

The marketing material may have misjudged the interests of its new owners. The listing boasts a private, fenced yard "with room to kick the soccer ball".

Arlidge, a former Dilworth School and Auckland University student, has been playing for Japan since 2004 and can speak fluent Japanese. He had a standout game on Saturday, scoring all 21 of the team's points against France.

Now he's gearing up to play against the All Blacks this Friday night at Waikato Stadium.

He said he would settle in New Zealand with his wife and son Niko once his newly-signed two-year contract with UK club Nottingham expires in 2013.

"There was never any doubt about [returning]. We're pretty keen to raise our kids in New Zealand eventually. We definitely see ourselves heading back and in this house we've just bought."

It is understood similar properties in the area go for about $850,000.

Vendor Hannah Anderson said there was a huge amount of interest without an advertising campaign or open homes.

"Within a week about 20 couples had come through without so much as a sign outside. His wife came through first with her father and I think she really liked it. The minute he got off the plane they raced him round here to have a look at it."