Stephen Donald is determined not to waste an opportunity after being selected in the Chiefs squad for the 2016 Super Rugby season.
The first five-eighth made his Chiefs debut in 2005, but has been playing abroad in England and Japan since leaving in 2011 after his Rugby World Cup heroics.
Donald himself was surprised with his inclusion but said he's excited at the chance to prove himself still worthy for the competition.
"Obviously I decided to pull the pin on Japan and came back with no real guarantees, I thought my days in the Chiefs were probably gone," Donald said.
"It's an opportunity I never thought I was going to get, I'm just unbelievable excited about it now."
Donald will face competition for game time in the form of injured All Black Aaron Cruden and promising youngster Damien McKenzie.
"I'll take any opportunity I get. My first job is just to get back in there and train the house down."
The 31-year-old is in England with All Blacks Tours and said watching from the stands is stirring up old memories for the former All Black.
"I think if you talk to any old All Black they say the same thing, you never miss that sort of game day atmosphere. Obviously Twickenham with 80,000 people, it's tough not to get excited about that."
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