Chad Tuoro has gone from relief teacher to relief rugby player, although it's fair to say the Steamers are relieved just to have him around.

Lingering back issues with rising halfback Josh Hall have thrust Tuoro into the picture and he hasn't disappointed.

On Friday night against Hawke's Bay, he even managed his first try for the province in just his second game after debuting a week earlier against Waikato.

The 29-year-old Opotiki-raised New Zealand sevens player moved back to his home province a year ago, although it was only this season that he moved back into the longer form of the game.

"When I moved down to the Bay, I wasn't playing any 15s because I just wanted to concentrate on sevens after making the national team," Tuoro said.

"Then I got injured in December and was out for four months.

"I missed the whole sevens campaign, so thought I'd play some club footy and get fit.

"Now I'm filling in here, which is great."

The Mount Maunganui club player has been teaching at Tauranga Boys' College part-time, as well as helping out with Bethlehem College's rugby programme.

The Bay scene is a good fit for him and partner Amy Woodyard and he's relishing being closer to home.

After making the Bay of Plenty under-13 team with his current Steamers teammate, Aidan Kuka, in 1993, he won a scholarship to St Kentigern College in Auckland.

He made various Auckland grade teams and sevens teams in the past, before switching to Counties-Manukau and playing seven games in 2007-08.

"The culture's mean down here," he said.

"The lifestyle at the Mount is pretty unique - I've been involved with Auckland and with Counties but the Bay has that great balance of rugby and lifestyle."

Tuoro hasn't limited himself to flaunting his play on the field either.

While he wasn't thrashing his way around Blake Park during numerous sevens camps, he also found time to strut the catwalk, picking up Mr Mount Maunganui titles in 2005 and 2007.

While the various bruises and bangs of professional rugby might limit his career as a male model, his new-found fortunes with the Steamers has given him a fresh outlook.

"You've got to take the opportunities when you can and the boys have just made it so enjoyable to be a part of.

"It's definitely given my 15s career a new lease of life and I'm keen to pursue it further as far as I can."