Salesi Rayasi returns home as one of six new Hurricanes for 2019

Especially since shifting to play for Auckland this year, it became the easiest way for he and father Filipe to stay in touch.

One particular call will always stand out, though.

"It was maybe second week, third week [of the Mitre 10 Cup season] and [Hurricanes coach] John Plumtree rung my dad and then my dad rung me and I was a bit shocked that the Canes were asking for my number and I was pretty keen to come home," wing Salesi Rayasi said after signing a one-year deal with the Hurricanes.

Born and bred in Wellington, the province his father Filipe played for, becoming a Hurricane had always been Rayasi's dream.

"That's why I was a bit shocked. I'd always seen them on the telly and through primary school and intermediate and now it's become a reality and I get to have my dream come true of becoming a fulltime professional.

"That's been the most surreal feeling, of having your dream come true."

It's been a circuitous route at times, taking in basketball and an unproductive shift to Christchurch. Back home in the Hutt Valley, strong performances for the Upper Hutt Rams led all the way to a sevens world cup title.

Rayasi's Wellington Development coach Filo Tiatia helped coax him to Auckland now he's back to where it all began, alongside St Patrick's College Silverstream team-mate Asafo Aumua.

"I've known Asafo since I was 10-year-old. He was a Naenae guy and I grew up in Waterloo, but we both went to Hutt Old Boys Marist and played the same age-grade rugby and went all the way through to secondary school.

"While I was playing basketball, he'd come down at lunch and eat his lunch and then come and shoot a couple of hoops and in our last year we played rugby together."

​Rayasi was a Monday-to-Friday boarder back then, going home in the weekends provided there was no footy.

"But if there was rugby I'd wake up at six o'clock with a bunch year 9s and we'd go set up the rugby fields on the frosty morning in our bare feet and whatnot. That was good. We'd jump on the back of the truck and get all the rugby posts and rugby flags. Yeah, good memories."

The kind of memories that dreams are made of.

By his own admission, the now 22-year-old wasn't always ready to turn his dream into reality. Sevens taught him success takes more than just talent. You have to be a professional too and Rayasi's performances in seven a-side footy, and now Auckland's Mitre 10 Cup premiership win, suggest he's learned that.

Blessed with the same speed and evasive skills that saw his dad play for Fiji, Rayasi also possesses game-sense and a big left boot.

Capable of playing fullback, and on either wing, he's coming to the Hurricanes with the right attitude.

"I'm not going to come in here and try and do anything out of the ordinary. I'm just going to try and contribute, listen and be a sponge and try and learn as much as I can."

​Rayasi is one of six new boys for 2019, alongside former Highlanders first five-eighth Fletcher Smith, Wellington back Billy Proctor, former Crusaders loosie Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Manawatu lock Liam Mitchell and Wellington flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi.

James Marshall, who was part of the Hurricanes' 2016 title-winning squad, returns from overseas.

AT A GLANCE

2019 Hurricanes squad:

Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, James Marshall, Salesi Rayasi.

Midfield backs: Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Billy Proctor, Matt Proctor.

First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith.

Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Richard Judd, TJ Perenara.

Loose forwards: Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Gareth Evans, Vaea Fifita, Sam Henwood, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea.

Locks: James Blackwell, Geoff Cridge, Sam Lousi, Liam Mitchell, Isaia Walker-Leawere.

Props: Fraser Armstrong, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Ben May, Toby Smith, Jeff To'omaga-Allen.

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli.

* Peter Umaga-Jensen was unavailable due to a shoulder injury.