He may not be turning out for the All Blacks in their clash against the Springboks tomorrow, but Julian Savea knows what he has to do to get back in the fold.
The winger was left out of the Rugby Championship squad, Hurricanes teammate Nehe Milner-Skudder instead being preferred after sitting two years out with an injury.
However, the 54 test capped All Black is happy where his rugby is at the moment, and will be looking to use his team's clash against Canterbury this weekend as an opportunity to get his name back in the mix.
"I just need to put my head down and work hard to get to where I need to be and at the moment, the Lions have given me the opportunity so I'm excited about that and grateful for that," Savea said.
Speaking on if the prospect of playing in the Mitre 10 Cup has been a refreshing career change; the twenty-seven-year-old said his mind-set remains the same.
"I suppose, but you know, for me, the outlook I have is I've got to do the work.
"Like I said, I'm enjoying rugby and I'm loving it, so it's good," Savea said.
The Wellington skipper will lead out the Lions against an unbeaten Canterbury side this Sunday at Westpac stadium.
Newshub.