The wonderfully named Lightning Ridge is a small outback town in Western Australia, a 10-hour drive from Sydney with a population of less than 2,000.
And it is where Archer Holz began his rugby adventures.
The Scarlets tight-head first picked up a ball at the tender age of five playing rugby league with the town’s junior team the Tigers and loved every moment.
He then switched to union when he went to boarding school, beginning his senior career with Eastern Suburbs in Sydney before playing Super Rugby with the Brumbies and the Waratahs, with a brief spell at French giants La Rochelle sandwiched in between.
Archer arrived in Llanelli in November and has played his part in the Scarlets’ vastly-improved challenge in the URC and Challenge Cup this season.
With the URC celebrating “Origin Round’ this weekend, Archer reflects on where it all began.
“My old man played a lot of AFL (Aussie Rules), but it was rugby league to start at Lightning Ridge. I also played a bit of netball as you do in those little towns, you do a bit of everything, then when I went away I played union and I fell in love with it. I’ve some great memories and made some good friends who I’m still friends with now.”
A representative tour to the northern hemisphere saw Archer come up against some future team-mates in Sam Costelow and Charlie Titcombe and he has since reunited with compatriot Max Dougas, another new arrival at Parc y Scarlets this season.
The pair played U19s grade rugby in Australia and were also in the same Super Rugby squad at the Waratahs.
“Linking back up with Dougie and living near him has been pretty cool and made the transition that much easier,” adds Archer. “It’s crazy how it has all worked out.
“That kind of international connection is what makes rugby so special. You can walk in any city and you come across someone who knows someone you know.
“I’ve loved the experience over here. I have never had a Christmas below 30 degrees before, so it has been different, but it has been really good.”
So how does the URC compare with Super Rugby and the physical demands of the French Top 14?
“It’s definitely different,” adds the 24-year-old.
“Super Rugby is very fast and focused on ball movement, whereas in the French league everything is a bit more regimented and focused on set-piece, with a lot of structure.
“I’ve found the URC kind of sits somewhere in the middle, especially the way the Scarlets play. We like to move the ball, we have got really good outside backs, but at the same time there’s also a focus on set-piece, which is really important for me as I am a prop that prides myself on my set-piece.
“So there’s been a good balance so far and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“In this league, you really need to be across all areas. You can’t rest on your laurels in one area and fall back in another.”
As for life with the Scarlets, he adds: “It’s been good. It’s a great club, a good environment, so I have really enjoyed that aspect of it. I’ve settled in well. Everyone has been very welcoming.
“As the season has progressed, we have definitely clicked as a team and we can take confidence going forward.”
Looking ahead to the meeting with Munster at Limerick’s Thomond Park on Saturday, he adds: “We know what they are going to bring. They are a very confrontational side. They want to win those battles physically in the middle of the park. We have prepared for that and we know we have to front up.”