Highlanders prop Daniel Lienert-Brown is not thinking about a potential All Blacks call-up for the upcoming three-test series against France.
The older brother of All Blacks midfielder Anton is suddenly in consideration due to a growing number of loosehead props out injured.
Neither Joe Moody, Kane Hames nor Atu Moli have played 2018 Super Rugby, and that has left the All Blacks with a front-row headache.
And with Lienert-Brown playing out of his skin for the Highlanders, there's a chance he could get a call-up to the national team, but he insists that isn't on his mind right now - all his focus is on beating the Blues at Eden Park.
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"I'm trying not to think about it too much," he said. "If it comes, it comes.
"I have to do the best I can to put myself up for possible selection. If you want to put yourself up for selection, you have to play the best rugby you can and keep on improving."
Awaiting Lienert-Brown in the Blues pack is 14-test international Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Due to the propping casualty list, Tu'ungafasi is now one of New Zealand's most senior front rowers and Lienert-Brown knows he must put in a strong performance against the 25-year-old, if he is going to impress All Blacks selectors.
"He's an All Black and a good gauge to see where you are at," said Leinert-Brown. "He's really solid, so I'm looking forward to that challenge this weekend.
"We have to stick to our processes and scrummage as a pack. You can't be individual against a pack like theirs, against a guy of [Tu'ungafasi's] calibre."
The Highlanders have won five of their last six clashes against the Blues.
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