JOHN Kelly says he had a great time in New Zealand after playing for a rugby side Down Under.

The Luctonians flanker only returned to the UK two weeks ago but was immediately drafted into the side that played at Caldy before playing against Preston Grasshoppers last Saturday.

"It's a beautiful place – the people there are very friendly and it's hard not to fall in love with the place," said Kelly, who was part of the set-up at Heartland Championship side North Otago.

"My old coach at Lucton School, Troy Looms, asked me to come to help out there.

"I was only meant to be there for three to four months but he asked me to stay for another three months after that.

"I stayed in a small town called Oamaru, which is near Dunedin, and did a few jobs, like farming and also worked at a plumbing plant."

Kelly was kept updated with how Luctonians were doing from his twin brother Frank, who also plays for the Mortimer Park side.

After returning to the UK on November 2, Kelly trained with Lucs the following evening before playing in a 15-15 draw against Caldy four days later.

"The worse thing is doing nothing,"said Kelly.

"I wanted to be back in training and meet up with some old friends."

Kelly added that Luctonians need to start games well in order to pick up more points after finding themselves bottom of the National league 2 North table.

Their latest defeat was a 25-19 reverse against Preston Grasshoppers.

"We always have a slow start in games, which is annoying," admitted Kelly.

"They were a young side and it seemed fear kicked in."