Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett has all but ruled out a Super Rugby reunion with younger brother Jordie at the Hurricanes.
The All Blacks lock forward has a decision to make on his playing future at the end of the year, but he has already indicated his intentions to stay loyal to the red-and-blacks.
Whispers of a transfer north to play with his brother seem unfounded, with Barrett revealing to Newshub he sees himself remaining in Canterbury.
"I'm enjoying my rugby down here and now I've been captain of this team," he says. "It's certainly where I'd like to see my rugby be played in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the talented 26-year-old is eager to return to a more traditional form of training in coming weeks.
Last week, Sport Minister Grant Robertson said teams would likely be able to start training together once the country moves to COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
And that would be a welcome relief for members of Barrett's bubble - partner Hannah and netball-playing sister Jenna.
"Been putting a few soft dummy tackles on my sister and fiancé, which has been fun," Barrett quips. "I need to contain myself I think."
The All Blacks lock is understandably itching to resume training with his real teammates and that may not be too far away, with Level 2 in place as early as May 11.
"I think it's looking likely that we can train in small groups, but we'll just have to wait and see when that comes around."
But a revised Super Rugby competition probably won't receive the green light to begin until the first week of June.
Franchise coaches have emphasised the need for at least three weeks of full-contact training, before they return to the park.
"Us players will be saying 'yeah-nah', we only need a week to get our contact and all that, but I think that the strength and conditioning experts are saying we need a wee bit more time."
