Malakai Fekitoa has no regrets at turning his back on the All Blacks due to his desire to support up to 30 family members.
The former All Blacks and Highlanders midfielder has just confirmed an end of season move to English premiership club Wasps after two French Top 14 campaigns with Toulon.
Fekitoa 26, was reported to be on over €500,000 ($NZ843,000) a year at the time he left for Toulon in 2017.
He told the Mail on Sunday that helping his family was his primary aim.
Malakai Fekitoa in action for the Barbarians at Twickenham in 2018.
"I left New Zealand to support my family,' says Fekitoa. "I don't just support my mum. I support my younger brothers and sisters, my nieces, my nephews. I've got close to 30 nieces and nephews around the world. Being able to support them is the best feeling ever."
He grew up in a family of 14 children on Ha'apai island in Tonga and suffered early tragedies when his father, brother and a sister died before he turned 14.
"Everything crashed," he told the Mail on Sunday.
"Dad was a carpenter and he was the only person who provided for us. Mum struggled for a while and that's when I realised no one was going to help us. That's when I put everything on rugby."
As a boy, he slept in a hut and he and his family hunted and fished to put food on the table.
Malakai Fekitoa and Lima Sopoaga salute the Dunedin crowd after the Highlanders' win over the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
Fekitoa, who came to New Zealand at 16 on a rugby scholarship, will reprise his Highlanders partnership with ex-All Black Lima Sopoaga at Wasps next season.
The pair helped the Highlanders win the Super Rugby title in 2015.
Fekitoa was part of the All Blacks' World Cup winning squad in 2015, and played 24 tests before putting family first and heading to France.
Malakai Fekitoa (L) and Lima Sopoaga inside the Colosseum in Rome on the 2016 All Blacks tour.
"Watching the All Blacks is always hard because I know what I can do,' he explains. 'It's difficult but, at the same time, I feel proud watching the guys," he told the Mail on Sunday.
"I didn't just decide to leave. I thought about it for months and months and I believe I made the right decision. Whatever decision you make, you've got to back it 100 per cent and go with it."
Fekitoa is still backing the All Blacks to be strong despite the growing number of players seeking their fortunes offshore.
"A lot more people are moving over now but in New Zealand there is always someone coming through who can fill in," he said.
"People have started talking up Ireland [for the Rugby World Cup title], but I still back the boys back home. The game is changing. It's a business. You don't play for ever and people are starting to get that now."