Blues star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is brushing aside any talk of All Blacks selection - for now, at least.
The former NZ Warriors captain says he's more focused on bringing a Super Rugby Pacific title to his hometown, as he laces up for the biggest week in his rugby union career.
"Very exciting for myself, back in finals footy," Tuivasa-Sheck told Newshub.
The Warriors' perennial struggles have meant his postseason appearances have been few and far between in recent years, but he hopes that changes this week against the Highlanders.
"Being an Auckland boy, I get to play a finals here in Auckland, here at Eden Park, so I'm really pumped up for that."
Such is his determination to bring a title to Tāmaki Makaurau, he insisted any talk of an All Blacks jersey is still far from his mind.
"I'm here in my first time back in rugby union," he said. "I'm trying to learn my role as a 12.
"We've got finals footy this week, so it's been quite easy just to have my head in the moment and here in the Blues HQ."
But his play has certainly caught the eye of the All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
"He's doing a great job in the Blues and we've had some connections with him," Foster said on the All Blacks podcast.
"I know he's in a great spot, so we've got to just look at his progress and the next 4-5 weeks will be critical in that."
Tuivasa-Sheck said of his brief conversations with Foster: "He was just giving me some encouragement and called me when I got injured, just saying 'stay on top of the rehab' and saying enjoy the time off.
"That was about it."
Watch the full story above and join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Blues v Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific playoff
