Cory Jane is still keen to get back into the All Blacks and the next month with the Hurricanes gives him a chance to shine as Nehe Milner-Skudder recovers from injury.
The 33-year-old hasn't played for New Zealand since the Chicago Test against the USA at the end of 2014 but is feeling fit fresh off his first full preseason of training in eight years.
"At the moment I enjoy the Hurricanes. I still want to compete so at the moment it's trying to compete every week to try and get in the team and I still want to be an All Black. Whether that happens or not, I've got to give it a good crack this year and see what happens," Jane said.
The 53-cap All Black is set to play out his career in New Zealand, his eldest son Cassius has special needs and Jane isn't willing to move him out of his comfort zone and overseas.
"I got a different situation than just getting up and buggering off overseas," Jane said.
"There's a lot of complications around going away and finding a hospital or a school system that he's going to be good in."
Milner-Skudder is currently nursing a dislocated shoulder suffered against the Blues at the weekend.
Jane's been criticised in recent weeks for not having the pace he used to after being chased down by Malakai Fekitoa, but he said he was never the fastest player.
"He outsprinted [track and field athlete Cornel] Fredericks from South Africa who's one of the quickest guys going around so Fekitoa's not the slowest guy in the world."
The Hurricanes take on the Western Force in Palmerston North on Friday night.
Watch the video for the full interview.
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