After shooting to stardom with the Reds one may be forgiven for thinking Australian rugby had seen the last of Rod Davies when he set sail for Biarritz in 2014.
"Rocket Rod" was a blindingly quick revelation playing outside the dynamic Will Genia-Quade Cooper duo but when Ewen McKenzie left Ballymore to take up the top job with the Wallabies things changed.
Richard Graham was the man that replaced McKenzie and he held the opinion that Davies - along with some of his premiership winning teammates - should be moved on.
The south of France came calling but two superb seasons with Biarritz didn't quite scratch the itch.
When the Force came calling Davies was more than happy to pack up his young family and move back to Australia.
He had a point to prove.
"It's a great spot in the south of France and I had the two years there and loved it - it was awesome," Davies told RUGBY.com.au.
"But I still feel like I have something to offer.
"I wouldn't have come back to Australia otherwise.
"I still feel each week that I can push the other guys at our club.
"We have some good young talent and we can't wait to play some finals footy."
Davies' five tries this NRC season have shown that he has not lost a yard of his trademark pace.
At 29 he is one of the more experienced heads in the Force fold and that will prove invaluable during a finals campaign with four very evenly matched teams.
"The World Series was a good lead in for us but this has always been the goal for our team," Davies said.
"The World Series was awesome but we weren't playing for points.
"To pit yourself against the other teams in the NRC has been awesome for us.
"It's been pretty successful so far but we have a big game on our hands this week against the Drua."
A win against the Drua would put the Force in pole position to achieve their primary goal for the season.
It would assure them of a home grand final should they win their semi final and that would draw an enormous Perth crowd.
"I've really, really enjoyed coming here and it's a great place, Perth," Davies said.
"There are some great fans here as well.
"To be able to average 14,000 a game at nib (Stadium) has been unreal.
"Looking forward there are only bigger and better things to come out here."
While on the topic of fans the number one ticket holder in the Rocket Rod fan club is Davies' father.
He's long been a fixture of the Uber driving circuit in Brisbane and always spruiks his boy's ability when given the chance.
"It's always been me and the old man," Davies said.
"Growing up in Rocky I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to go to Ipswich Grammar.
"If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be playing rugby so I'm very grateful."
There are now thousands of Rocket Rod fans in WA.
After a torturous couple of years an NRC crown would be one way to give back to those supporters who have certainly been there through thick and thin.
"It would be huge for the whole state," Davies said.
"It's our goal - this is the thing we really wanted to win - and it's definitely doable with the group we have got.
"I think we can definitely give it a real shake."
The Force face the Drua in Perth on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm local, 6pm AEDT, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
