It has been a long road back to the top for All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder.
The 26-year-old made his return to Test rugby on Saturday night during the All Blacks' 39-22 win over Argentina in New Plymouth, his first match in the black jersey in almost two years.
His last match was in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against Australia, where he scored the opening try of the match.
Shoulder and foot injuries have since hampered Milner-Skudder's progress, forcing him to miss most of 2016 and a portion of the 2017 season.
Speaking to Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport, Milner-Skudder said it was great to be playing for the All Blacks once again.
"It was unreal when I found out I was in the side," Milner-Skudder told RadioLIVE.
"When I was running out I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Doing the anthem, and being able to do the Haka again was amazing."
After spending time on the sideline with numerous injuries, Milner-Skudder said it was a tough journey back to the top.
"It is tough being on the sidelines watching but it fuels that hunger.
"I had a tough run but I had some supportive people around me.
"I had an end goal in mind that I wanted to be back out on the field, but I had daily boxes I needed to tick and that kept my focus on the here and now.
"I didn't get too carried away with what was happening later down the track and just kept focused on what I needed to do each day and that make it easier to get through it."
Milner-Skudder's return was a big talking point heading into the match, but his return was overshadowed by the performance of flanker Vaea Fifita.
Fifita, who playing in his second Test match, made the most of his opportunity with some thunderous tackles, and even scored a marvellous try. But Milner-Skudder was not surprised.
"He is an absolute freak," said Milner-Skudder.
"People have been asking what his capabilities are and, being with him at the Hurricanes over the last couple of years, he does it all the time.
"He just went into beast mode. He is unstoppable."
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