Dan Morath is aiming to go all the way from Taranaki to Twickenham, via Haywards Heath.

But the talented half back will not have to spend much on phone calls home to New Zealand if he helps Heath to glory.

Most of his clubmates from the other side of the globe are playing rugby in England at the moment.

Morath, scorer of a try hat-trick in the last round, will be at No. 10 as Heath take on holders Morley in the quarter-finals of the Powergen Intermediate Cup at Whitemans Green tomorrow (2pm).

It is one of the biggest games the club has ever staged and, if they can get past the powerful West Yorkshire outfit, a trip to RFU headquarters on finals day will be well within their reach.

Morath, who initially came to England with his brother Kurt, is keen to progress up the English rugby ladder.

And success in a national knockout will not harm his prospects of joining many of his compatriots in the higher leagues.

The 25-year-old from New Plymouth said: "I wanted to travel and play some footy so I came to England with my brother.

"He has already gone back. He busted his knee and thought he would be better off recovering in the sunshine in New Zealand than in the rain here.

"But I'm really enjoying it and I'm hoping to come back next season and play at a higher level.

"A lot of my club mates from New Zealand are playing over here. Some of them are in National Two and National One.

"I believe I could play at a higher level but, with my brother, we thought it would be the best idea to stick together in our first year over here.

"Individually, I believe we could have gone to National One but not many clubs were looking for both a nine and a ten, especially foreigners."

Morath has the company of girlfriend Rebecca from back home as he enjoys an exciting season.

And the fact that Heath in general, and Morath's half back partner Alex Meredith in particular, play like Kiwis helps ease any homesickness.

Morath prefers playing at scrum half but, with Meredith captaining the side from that spot, is happy to strut his stuff from fly-half.

He said: "The rugby here is more forward orientated. Apart from our team no one likes to throw the ball around.

"Alex has been playing half-back for quite a while and he is one of the few who really play like a New Zealander.

"He throws himself into it. He has got good skills and he likes to have a go."

Morath, who will join his brother playing for Manawatu in the New Zealand winter, has been identified as a key man by Ian Davies.

But the Heath director of rugby added: "We are not a one-man team.

"The forwards have to perform, otherwise it will be a long afternoon.

"Daniel is a class act. I don't think he will have as easy a ride as he did against Truro in the last round but hopefully he can put others into space."

Heath's team offers plenty of youthful exhuberance. Will Harris and Sam Pargetter, both members of the current Sussex under-20s team, line up at fullback and centre respectively.

And Jon Fordham and Tom Jordan are mobile locks who fit the gameplan.

Morley lead North One and are coached by former Wales outside half Colin Stephens, who played rugby and cricket against Davies back home in Llanelli.

The Heath coach admits he is glad Stephens hung up his boots last season.

But he warned his opposite number: "We have selected a very positive team with experience to bring off the bench if needed. Morley look to play an open game as well but we think we can ask them questions they haven't been asked before this season."