Blues midfielder Rene Ranger is clear-cut with his goals for 2016 - he wants back in the All Blacks.
The six-time All Black came off the bench in the Blues 33-31 win over the Highlanders and is hoping a strong season can push his name back into contention.
Following Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu's departure for France, the opportunity beckons for hopefuls to impress selectors, and Ranger admits it's something that is in the back of his mind.
"I think a lot of players want to concentrate on doing their core roles for the Blues, or any Super team, but I'm not going to lie, All Blacks are in the back of my head," said Ranger.
"I'm coming for the spot and I'd like to be back in there.
"Like everyone I'm playing my best at Super and [All Blacks] is later down the track."
Ranger re-joined the Blues after a stint in France and said he's already benefitting under the coaching of a man who spent plenty of time in the All Blacks midfield in Tana Umaga.
"He just picks at your brain and a lot of us players just pick at his. He has different looking's at the game play and how it unfolds as a center.
"He's always good to talk to and the boys do a lot of learning off him."
The Blues travel to play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday night, a game Ranger is hoping to start in after coming through unscathed against the Highlanders.
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