 From school he joined Otahuha, a feeder team for the Auckland Blues, playing in the Gallaher Shield at level 4 of the New Zealand domestic game.While at Otahuhu he got his first taste of silverware when he helped the club to win the Gallaher Cup held at Eden Park in July 2000 - defeating Ponsonby 24 - 13.The next year his team made it back to the final, once again facing Ponsonby, but were unable to retain their trophy as they lost 13 - 31.

in 2001 Alfie moved to England to join Rotherham for the 2001-02 season playing in the second division of English club rugby.