As he gets closer to returning to competitive rugby, reclaiming a spot in the All Blacks is fuelling TJ Perenara's ambitions for the 2024 season.
The 31-year-old halfback missed all of 2023 after rupturing his Achilles tendon on the All Blacks' northern tour over a year ago.
However, in that time, Perenara has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, at a time when multiple experienced players have left Aotearoa at the end of the 2023 World Cup cycle.
One of those players to depart is Aaron Smith, who has had a complete stranglehold on the No.9 jersey for more than a decade.
While Perenara is far from nailed on as the first choice No.9 for incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, his place as a piece in the jigsaw will be vital should selectors want experience.
At present, Cam Roigard will give Perenara a hard time should he want regular minutes for club and country, while Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava both give Robertson options with test experience.
But that competition, and the idea of playing his way back into national selection, is a major reason for Perenara putting pen to paper to stay in New Zealand until the end of 2025 at least.
"We play this game, in New Zealand, because you want to be an All Black," said Perenara.
"You want to play at the highest level, and represent the team you grew up loving.
"Yes, it is a big part of my motivation. But it's always been part of my motivation.
"It's the pinnacle of our game. If we're not excited about it, or driven to be part of that team, we're in the wrong position, or doing the wrong thing."
However - figuratively - Perenara needs to walk before he can run.
Perenara is yet to return to full training as the Hurricanes embark on their pre-season, and he faces a battle with Roigard just to start for his club side.
But already with 80 test caps, Perenara knows what it takes to be an All Black.
And asked what he needs to do to get back to test level, Perenara outlines exactly what needs to happen, when.
"Playing is a big one," he joked. "Getting back on the field and playing good footy.
"I set my goals broad for a year, but then I narrow them down to my short-term goals. For me now, my short-term goal is to get back and do full-tilt team training. When I come to that point, those goals start to adapt.
"To be an All Black, you have to play good rugby, you have to be out on the field, you have to be having an impact on your team. Winning really helps too.
"All those elements will be part of those goals and those standards."
Thanks to his injury wiping out any chances of 2023, Perenara was forced to watch the 2023 World Cup as a fan, rathern than standing alongside his teammates in France.
As the Ian Foster era ended, the All Blacks fell to a heartbreaking 12-11 defeat to South Africa in Paris, missing the chance to become the first nation to win the tournament four times.
But rather than be weighed down by the disappointment of not even being able to fight for selection, Perenara made peace with his absence.
"It was tough not being there," he said. "But having the second surgery and knowing I wasn't going to be available for it made it a little bit easier.
"The decision to have another surgery completely ruled me out. So I could be more of a fan and support out mates, rather than the disappointment of not being there.
"But that doesn't take away at all from how much I want to get back into that All Blacks squad, and have an impact in there too."
As he gets closer to returning to competitive rugby, reclaiming a spot in the All Blacks is fuelling TJ Perenara's ambitions for the 2024 season.
The 31-year-old halfback missed all of 2023 after rupturing his Achilles tendon on the All Blacks' northern tour over a year ago.
However, in that time, Perenara has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, at a time when multiple experienced players have left Aotearoa at the end of the 2023 World Cup cycle.
One of those players to depart is Aaron Smith, who has had a complete stranglehold on the No.9 jersey for more than a decade.
While Perenara is far from nailed on as the first choice No.9 for incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, his place as a piece in the jigsaw will be vital should selectors want experience.
At present, Cam Roigard will give Perenara a hard time should he want regular minutes for club and country, while Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava both give Robertson options with test experience.
But that competition, and the idea of playing his way back into national selection, is a major reason for Perenara putting pen to paper to stay in New Zealand until the end of 2025 at least.
"We play this game, in New Zealand, because you want to be an All Black," said Perenara.
"You want to play at the highest level, and represent the team you grew up loving.
"Yes, it is a big part of my motivation. But it's always been part of my motivation.
"It's the pinnacle of our game. If we're not excited about it, or driven to be part of that team, we're in the wrong position, or doing the wrong thing."
However - figuratively - Perenara needs to walk before he can run.
Perenara is yet to return to full training as the Hurricanes embark on their pre-season, and he faces a battle with Roigard just to start for his club side.
But already with 80 test caps, Perenara knows what it takes to be an All Black.
And asked what he needs to do to get back to test level, Perenara outlines exactly what needs to happen, when.
"Playing is a big one," he joked. "Getting back on the field and playing good footy.
"I set my goals broad for a year, but then I narrow them down to my short-term goals. For me now, my short-term goal is to get back and do full-tilt team training. When I come to that point, those goals start to adapt.
"To be an All Black, you have to play good rugby, you have to be out on the field, you have to be having an impact on your team. Winning really helps too.
"All those elements will be part of those goals and those standards."
Thanks to his injury wiping out any chances of 2023, Perenara was forced to watch the 2023 World Cup as a fan, rathern than standing alongside his teammates in France.
As the Ian Foster era ended, the All Blacks fell to a heartbreaking 12-11 defeat to South Africa in Paris, missing the chance to become the first nation to win the tournament four times.
But rather than be weighed down by the disappointment of not even being able to fight for selection, Perenara made peace with his absence.
"It was tough not being there," he said. "But having the second surgery and knowing I wasn't going to be available for it made it a little bit easier.
"The decision to have another surgery completely ruled me out. So I could be more of a fan and support out mates, rather than the disappointment of not being there.
"But that doesn't take away at all from how much I want to get back into that All Blacks squad, and have an impact in there too."
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