Dane Coles' legacy and impact on New Zealand rugby will never be forgotten, especially by teammate Samisoni Taukei'aho.
Coles, 36, will call time on his career after Sunday's (NZ time), Rugby World Cup final, bringing to an end a career that started 16 years ago.
Rather than take up a lucrative overseas contract, Coles will walk away from the game altogether, content with playing his entire career in Aotearoa.
Aside from his 90 tests for the All Blacks, Coles has played 141 games for the Hurricanes at Super Rugby level and captained the side to its first and so far only title back in 2016.
In recent years, with his place in Ian Foster's first XV not guaranteed, Coles has become arguably the All Blacks' most important player off the field, enforcing standards for the entire team at all levels.
That extends to the two players out to take the No.2 jersey from Coles, Taukei'aho and Codie Taylor.
For Taukei'aho, 26, the reality of an All Blacks camp without Coles is starting to hit.
But with a World Cup final to come, any overriding sentiment can wait until after the final whistle on Sunday.
"This week just at the start was just a bit emotional," he said. "I'm like, 'oh, it's my last week with Grandad'.
"We'll leave the reflecting afterwards and I'm sure we'll have a few quiet ones and talk about how much he obviously developed me as a player, but not just a rugby player, but as a human being.
"He's a top man."
Like any young player, Taukei'aho's ascension into the All Blacks saw him able to tap into the immense expertise of senior players around him.
And being the senior statesman of the All Blacks side under Ian Foster, Coles was happy to oblige when called upon, even if it put his own place in the side at risk.
"He gave me advice and made a few smart comments about my throwing when I first got in," Taukei'aho explained.
"When I went and asked for help, he was really open, let me know what I needed to do and helped me out.
"He changed me, changed the player I am, and also the way I look at the game.
"Just how professional he is, him and Codie, to be able to be in this game for however long he has – I've lost count – to be here at 36 and still playing, it's a credit to him."
Now, Taukei'aho, Coles and Taylor are battling for two places, as Foster comes close to finalising his matchday 23 for the World Cup final.
Naturally, three doesn't go into two, meaning one hooker will miss out.
In recent weeks, Taylor has occupied the No.2 jersey, while Taukei'aho has come off the bench in No.16.
But whoever the unlucky man to miss out is, Taukei'aho assures no stone will be left unturned in preparing his teammates for what awaits the All Blacks against the Springboks.
"Obviously, whoever gets the nod, we back them 100 percent to get the job done," he said.
"It's the job of the person who's not in the 23 to prepare them as best they could, so come gameday, they're ready for anything.
"Nothing changes this week. I'm looking forward to it."
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