Lote Tuqiri has been lured back to the NSW Waratahs' inner sanctum in a mentoring role, revealing his special bond with emerging winger Dylan Pietsch ahead of their clash with the Queensland Reds on Saturday.
The former Queensland State of Origin and Brisbane NRL winger admits there were awkward beginnings when he crossed codes to join the NSW Waratahs in 2003.
But ahead of the Waratahs' clash with the Queensland Reds on Saturday, he was happy to pose with a retro blue jersey at Suncorp Stadium and proclaim his allegiance.
"I guess I am (still in their corner)," Tuqiri laughed after revealing his relationship with Australian rugby sevens graduate Pietsch.
"I struggled at the start, as a proud maroon, but you'd die for your teammates and these games were the best atmospheres I played in.
"There's a lot of passion and probably has a little bit of spite as well."
The Waratahs lost all 13 matches last season but will arrive in Brisbane 3-2 with a chance of jumping them into second overall.
"Amazing; I just like the fact they play as a team," Tuqiri said of their turnaround.
"They look harmonious, getting in, doing the hard work together.
"(New coach) Darren Coleman's done an amazing job, to me it's already a tick this season ... everyone you talk to has got a rap on him."
