On the field he was one of the game's most destructive runners, capable of tearing a defensive line to shreds.

But life after footy for Joe Vagana is more about putting things back together than ripping them apart.

Vagana, now 43, played professional rugby league for both the Warriors in the NRL and Bradford Bulls in the UK, between 1995-2008.

JACKSON THOMAS Former Kiwi rugby league international Joe Vagana established Trow Group five years ago with fellow Aucklander, Saia Latu.

And while he's still in the business of knocking things over, these days he does it with the intention of recycling what's left in ruin.

READ MORE:

* RTS sidesteps Dally M talk

* The art of the short drop out

* Mannering not fearing the end

Five years ago, Vagana established Trow Group, a civil contracting and machinery hire company that works to salvage and recycle material from their building sites to be used in schools, community centres and churches in New Zealand and the Pacific.

STUFF Vagana (right) and Jerry Seuseu celebrate Vagana's try during the New Zealand Legends vs Australian Legends earthquake appeal match at Mt Smart, in 2011.

Like all good ideas, Trow Group was born from a conversation with a mate over a few beers, Vagana said.

"Me and a mate of mine had this idea, call it a lightbulb moment I suppose. I then had to just take the risk, sell it to my wife to put our house on the line and five years later we haven't had to sell the house so, success in that sense."

The demolition side of the company also provides work to young Māori and Pasifika people who could otherwise "be lost in the system" and provides them with a foundation from which to build a career in the civil construction industry.

"We are a commercial company, but we have a community responsibility as well," the former front-rower said.

"When we demo a building or office space instead of going to landfill we redirect it to schools, churches, stuff like that as well providing work opportunities for our local youth.

"In this industry there is no shortage of work. And not all of our kids are university inclined, so this is a place where they can start at the bottom and work their way up, earning good money."

Despite being kept busy with the demand of working in civil infrastructure, Vagana still finds time to give back to his junior rugby league club as well and can be found down at the Richmond Bulldogs club rooms most Saturdays.

The father of four now has three "talented" sons playing rugby league, carrying with them a name with a fair amount of sporting weight behind it.

Joe is the cousin of fellow rugby league international Nigel Vagana and former New Zealand netballer Linda Vagana.