Charlie Powell (right) has moved north this season to play for Otago. Photo: Aaron Gillions/Photosport
While plenty of New Zealand rugby players head to the northern hemisphere each season, not many come the other way.
One man bucking that trend is former England U20 winger Charlie Powell, who is playing for Otago in this year's NPC.
The 25-year-old made his Bristol debut while still a teenager, but unable to command a regular starting spot, he was released by the Bears last year and ended up as a Stag, playing for Southland in the NPC.
This season, he's shifted north - but only slightly - signing with Otago.
"I love the NPC," he told RNZ First Up, "I think it's an awesome comp.
"Every week, you might be facing an All Black, but there's also obviously really good opportunity for players like myself or club players or maybe Super Rugby players that haven't had a look in."
Powell's seen limited game time so far this season, but that's certainly not down to a lack of effort. He's fastidious in his preparations, a trait he picked up from senior players at Bristol, like former All Black Charles Piutau.
"He was my mentor for a while and he's a pretty professional guy."
A look at his 'Chapow Training' Instagram page confirms that professional approach. Meals are carefully planned, even down to making his own ginger-and-tumeric recovery shots.
"I get quite nervous often before games or, at least, I used to," he said, "What gives me a lot more confidence on game day is knowing that my prep is really good, so I have a list of things I know I want to tick off for out the training week.
"I know, if I've done those things, I'm in the best possible position I can put myself."
That includes putting time in at the gym. Powell's a qualified personal trainer, with further qualifications in strength and conditioning.
The mental side of the game isn't neglected. Powell's matchday vlogs reveal how he gets into the headspace to play.
"I like to journal a little bit," he said. "I'd be lying if I say I do it every day, but anytime I feel myself kind of slip away into a negative headspace, any negative selftalk around myself, I start to write down those feelings.
"Then I try to bring myself back into a more positive headspace by reading some more positive affirmations around myself, which is more getting myself in the mindset where I can go and perform, and take opportunities as they come to me."
His social media content offers some rarely seen aspects of professional rugby, but he knows performing on the field is his main role.
"Obviously, I don't want to be that guy who's got their camera out all the time and filming stuff. I'm signed to be a player. I'm not signed to be a social media guy, so I try to get the balance right.
"I feel like I've got a pretty good understanding, having been in full-time environments for so long now that I know when it's appropriate."
Powell's only signed on with Otago for this season, so the rugby nomad may be on the move again for 2026.
"I'm big into my travel, so being able to play overseas is is a bonus," he said. "Whether there was an opportunity back home or over this side of the world, I'd be very open to it.
"I'm just focusing on playing the best rugby I can play and see what comes of that."
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