There was an opening in the hooking ranks of Auckland rugby and Greg Pleasants-Tate has taken it with gusto.
The 24-year-old has become a fixture in the No 2 jersey this season after a first-class career that has seen him do time at Bay of Plenty and North Harbour, the latter for whom he played 10 games at loosehead prop last season.
The departures of Tom McCartney to Irish club Connacht and Gafatasi Sua to Counties Manukau saw Auckland coach Paul Feeney get on the phone.
"The shift has been pretty exciting. 'Rat' (Feeney) gave me the opportunity to come over here and play hooker. I enjoy it," said Pleasants-Tate. He signed his contract but still had to perform for his new Ponsonby club. He duly delivered and has since racked up a series of top displays for Auckland, with some skilful touches in open play, witness two try assists last weekend against Tasman, and solid set-piece rugby, especially with his lineout throwing.
"I always wanted to go back to hooker. I played there at school but with James Parsons there at North Harbour I didn't have the opportunity."