It might be a bit of pre-season fun for some, but for Julian Savea this weekend's Brisbane Tens begins his quest to get "back in black".
The second highest All Blacks try scorer of all time will captain the Hurricanes at a tournament he's previously missed as following an end of year tour as a New Zealand international.
But his sights are set much higher.
"[The All Blacks] are still the pinnacle, of course. That’s definitely the end goal," he said.
It's a goal he's been working towards since the end of last season.
But for all of Savea's desire to get back in black, he hasn't changed anything about his approach.
"Nothing really [has changed] but I’ve actually been able to have a good pre-season, rather than coming in later in the pre-season, so that’s been good," he said.
"[I’ve been able to] work on more skill and get fitter and hopefully faster."
But Savea has been here before.
This time last year, coach Chris Boyd noted how fit Savea was on his return to camp.
However his form didn't match the hype around his fitness, soon replaced in the Hurricanes by Wes Goosen.
"It’s all part of his development and growth," Hurricanes Tens’ Assistant Coach Darren Larsen said.
"It’s just a learning way forward, he’s still a young man and has opportunities."
Opportunities Savea plans to take with both hands to ensure he's back in into Test contention, although he's not getting too far ahead of himself.
"The yellow jersey is the main focus for me right now, and just playing well for them," Savea said.
And in doing that, not losing sight of why he plays the game.
"I just want to have fun and enjoy my rugby, and there’s no better team to do it with than the Hurricanes," he said.
Bring back the joy to his game and the form that made him indispensable to the All Blacks may soon follow.
Newshub.
