Former Maidstone Rugby player Piers Francis is living his dream over in New Zealand with the Waikato Chiefs.

It’s a far cry from the traditional English summer for wider training squad member and first five-eighth Piers Francis, as he and the Chiefs are put through their paces ahead of the Super Rugby campaign, but he is enjoying every minute he can.

Originally from Maidstone, Kent, 21-year-old Francis finds himself engulfed within the New Zealand rugby culture that intrigued him from an early age. “I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with New Zealand and rugby, they seem to go hand in hand, as well as wanting to travel.”.

Having made the decision to move to New Zealand in 2009, in particular to Auckland to further his rugby aspirations, Francis rapidly progressed through the ranks.

A former Maidstone U-18 and first XV player, he quickly established himself in the Auckland Academy for two years, playing out of the Auckland Marist club before being selected for the New Zealand Marist invitational team in 2010 and 2011 as well as the Auckland ITM Cup squad for the 2011 season.

Although he had limited game time behind Gareth Anscombe at first-five, and occasionally took the field at second-five, Francis was content with his progress, as he continued to learn and expand his knowledge of the game.

“I came off the bench a lot, but it was good,” he said.

Though having aspirations to play Super Rugby since his arrival and inclusion in the Auckland squad, Francis was surprised to be selected in the Chiefs wider training squad so soon.

“Yes it came as a bit of a shock, but I am just happy to be in the environment and soaking up what I can from the other players during the preseason,” he said.

Surviving the gruelling five-week preseason introduction to Super Rugby prior to Christmas where he continually had “stiff legs”, Francis is primed and ready to take the next step and test himself at this level and help the Chiefs out in what will be the longest Super campaign to date.

Francis will now call Hamilton home as he has also signed to play for the Mooloos in this season’s ITM Cup campaign where he is focused on performing well in his new environment.

“I don’t have many goals in regards to the Chiefs, but am more focused on having a successful ITM Cup for Waikato,” he said.

Seeing himself primarily as a first five-eighth, Francis will be hoping to stake a claim along with Trent Renata and Sam Christie for the vacant No10 jersey left by Stephen Donald’s post-World Cup departure to English club Bath as the Mooloos aim for one better in 2012.