At the end of 2017 well-travelled Southern Districts tight-head prop Tim Metcher had had a gut full of rugby.

Three shoulder reconstructions, tearing a hamstring off the bone and numerous other niggles along with a lack of consistent opportunities here in Australia meant his love of the game was at a low ebb.

So he decided to pack his bags and head overseas with his then girlfriend Brooke to see the world and only take a passing interest in what was happening in rugby for a while.

Let the body heal and wash off the fatigue of an aspiring professional rugby players.

So they travelled through Canada and before too long Metcher was told about a new league starting in the United States, Major League Rugby.

Metcher fired off an email and before too long he was in serious discussions about joining the league with the Seattle Seawolves and being a bit of a pioneer.

“When I left Melbourne at the end of 2017 rugby was the last thing on my mind,” Metcher said this week.