He misses his old friends and the great food they serve at Johnny's Rotis.

But there hasn't been much chance for Greg Rawlinson to reacquaint himself with either in his Durban homecoming this week as he crams All Blacks rugby information like a student approaching a big exam.

The lock will fulfil his childhood dream of running on to Kings Park, now Absa Stadium, before 52,000 people in the Tri-Nations test on Sunday (NZT).

Only he will be wearing black and singing God Defend New Zealand instead of South Africa, Our Land.

"It's a tough one, growing up listening to the anthem it is quite an emotional thing. I do get emotional when I hear it, but it's the same when I hear New Zealand's anthem," Rawlinson said.

Born here, and schooled at Durban Boys' High School, Rawlinson thought home would be the last place he'd be visiting in June.

But a slew of injuries to the All Blacks locks in recent weeks saw Rawlinson, 28, hauled away from Junior All Blacks duty, fresh from the Pacific islands and into camp in Hamilton.

Then it was on the plane to Durban, the city he left in 2002 to try his luck in New Zealand's NPC.

He's now a New Zealand resident, has a Kiwi girlfriend and is bound for English club Worcester later this year.

"The other guys are injured and they'll be right in a couple of weeks. All I can really worry about is what I can do on the field," he said.

"I wasn't really in the frame until the injuries so it is a bit of an opportunity I suppose."

An opportunity to press for a World Cup spot, should injuries strike again in September and October.

There's been two major difficulties -- his late arrival into camp and the impending duel with the world's premier lock and new Springboks captain Victor Matfield.

The good news is Rawlinson will pack down alongside his Blues teammate Troy Flavell, who will call the all-important lineouts to thrower Anton Oliver.

Rawlinson feels a lot wiser for the experience in his previous test, his third, against the Springboks in Pretoria last August, and offered reassurance the lineout will function smoothly.

"When you're playing Super 14 you're learning a whole new set of moves and you don't really remember what you did a year ago.

"But everyone's on the same page now which makes it a lot easier for the hookers and locks. Before, timing was a big issue with new guys coming in.

"We should be a lot better, the way we're playing with speed now and getting the locks to be as quick as they can on the ground and the air, and the hooker's just got to hit his mark."

That's easier said than done when Matfield's mitts are lurking.

He caused Rawlinson and his Blues teammates grief for the Bulls in Pretoria this year.

"Victor was on form that day. It was a tough one," he sighed.

The family and friend catchup will have to wait until after the match.

Rawlinson has had a few visitors to the team's hotel at Durban's North Beach. His family are scattered around the globe, mum still in Durban, dad in England and his brother in Canada.

"It's difficult when you've got the game to worry about and I've had to learn quite a few moves this week. I've seen people when I could but I've got to focus on the rugby.

"I don't want to think too much about it. If you get too emotional you get put off."

That includes not singing the wrong anthem.