Rugby: Dillon Hunt making his mark on the openside of life

Dillon Hunt says getting away on camping trips helps keep him refreshed for when it's time to pull on the jersey for the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images

He roams around — both on and off the field.

Highlanders openside flanker Dillon Hunt made the most of his week off when the side had a bye ahead of tonight's match against the Brumbies at Forsyth Barr Stadium. PlayStation or coffee at St Clair is not for him — exploring the wide open paddocks is what drives this 23-year-old.

"I actually bought a new van and headed away for a bit. Going up to Christchurch, Akaroa, Hanmer Springs. Doing a few walks. I enjoy getting away, getting into nature, getting away from the city," he said. "Yeah I slept in it [van] every day — it was actually quite comfortable. In the camping grounds and the odd bit of freedom camping, where applicable of course.

"I always love being in here [at the Highlanders] but it is always good to get away, refresh the mind, refresh the body. You come back with a bit of vigour."

Hunt has taken an adventurous path to professional rugby. He impressed playing for University while studying surveying and got called in to cover for a couple of injured players in the pre-season last year. The injured players kept coming and he kept staying. Pretty soon he was starting games and looked right at home.

He then backed that up with a good effort in the Mitre 10 Cup season for Otago. That was followed with selection for the Barbarians against the All Blacks and then making his All Black debut against a French XV in November.

"There are plenty of memories. It was all a bit of a whirlwind really. I was just expecting to be in for a couple of weeks here and there.

"Great memories like beating the Lions and then the end of the year with the Baabaas and then the All Blacks. That few weeks was a blur really. But I loved it.

"The important thing for me was not to worry too much about the hype. At that level there is a lot of it. But I was just trying to play my game, do everything that had got me there in the first place.

"It was just more trying to learn from people around me, grow my game, each week playing as a seven."

He had one paper left to complete his degree, which he had to finish this year. So he was still a university student but the Hyde St party will not be on the agenda next Saturday.

"You have got to watch you don't live too much of the student life as it can get away on you."

Hunt will face off against one of the world's best openside flankers in David Pocock tonight. He has happy with his own game but admits getting turnovers was not easy to do under the new rules.

"I don't know if it is the level or the rule. But you have to be quicker and anticipate the game a lot better now. So that has made it harder."

Hunt will head back to North Harbour for the Mitre 10 Cup, wanting to link back with family and friends.