As a boy, Dan Bowden dreamed of being an All Black. But now the Leicester Tigers centre has his sights set on pulling on an England jersey in the 2015 World Cup.
The 27-year-old was born and raised in Auckland before moving to England in March 2010 to join London Irish, followed by the jump to Welford Road last summer.
Despite representing New Zealand at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level, it is the white shirt of England that he is looking to pull on now.
Bowden has completed the required three-year residency in his adopted country to make the switch, but his ties to the red rose run a lot closer to home.
"I've had an English passport since I was 11 years old and my mother lived in London for about 18 years," said Bowden.
"She went to school there so my family have been here a long time.
"My great-grandparents are English, so there are ties there and it is an avenue I'm pretty keen to explore now that I'm eligible.
"I have been brought up to want to be an All Black but that hasn't happened.
"If playing for England did happen, I would be honoured. I would go about it the right way and try to do it justice.
"I have just got to make sure I keep playing well, and whatever happens will take care of itself."
With the World Cup less than a year away, Bowden's change of allegiance could not have come at a more exciting time.
"It's a big ticket for anyone that's going to be available," he said.
"A World Cup at home, so to speak, is big for any of the English players, and to be a part of that would be fantastic." Bowden's representatives have been in contact with England head coach Stuart Lancaster and the inside-centre said that those initial talks have been positive.
Someone within the England camp who knows only too well about Bowden's predicament is attacking skills coach Mike Catt, who was born in South Africa but ended up winning the World Cup with England in 2003.
"I spoke to Mike recently and he is aware of it as well," said Bowden.
"I was coached by him at London Irish. We've just got to see how it pans out."
If Bowden gets his wish, he would not be alone in the Tigers ranks as a New Zealand-born England international.
Thomas Waldrom was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, but has since won five Test caps for England after being eligible because of his English grandmother.
Bowden said he has spoken to his team-mate about the switch, as well as friends Shontayne Hape and Riki Flutey, who both played at centre for England despite starting international life in the All Blacks set-up.
"It is just part of the business these days, it's professional sport, and that's how it is," said Bowden.
"I was good friends with Hape and Flutey, and they both played at 12 for England. They spoke highly of it, they loved the experience."
