Departing All Black Pita Gus Sowakula still harbours Rugby World Cup aspirations, despite his upcoming offshore move to Top 14 side Clermont.
The Chiefs No.8 will link up with the French outfit at the conclusion of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, after signing a two-year deal.
Sowakula made his All Blacks debut in their win over Ireland at Eden Park in June, scoring a try from the substitutes bench.
But the following week's loss to the Irish would be his last international appearance for the year, having been snubbed for the Rugby Championship and Northern Tour squads.
With under 30 minutes of test rugby to his name, and the announcement of his impending overseas move to France, his future in black looks bleak.
However, the 28-year-old is determined to make coach Ian Foster's World Cup squad in France next year and knows what he needs to do to realise that goal.
"I'm still not out, [I've] still got one more year here," Sowakula said. "I was just off-contract next year, so there was the option to take it and go overseas.
"[I] probably just need to lift up my game to another level, that's all. It's my last season - play my A-game.
"I was happy enough with the debut, and I'll just keep working from here until the World Cup."
Sowakula admits not much was said between him and the All Blacks selectors after he was dropped but he holds no grudges toward them.
"No, not really," he said. "Just with my coaches here [Chiefs], telling me to just keep working hard, get back into next season and to play my best footy - and try and be available for that squad.
"It's all part of it, [it's] just not being in the squad or not getting picked, I'll just move on from here, I don't feel let down or anything."
Sowakula reveals his agent started looking around for new playing opportunities at the conclusion of the NPC season with Taranaki.
While he had other offers, the appeal of his partner, 22-test Black Fern Toka Natua, being able to play for Clermont's women's team was too good to pass.
"Mainly to take my family over and explore France really and see what life is like out there, that's the main motivation for the move and experience French rugby," Sowakula said.
"[I'm] more happy to go, being my last season here. As soon as it came up, I was like 'I'll take that option and try and explore overseas'.
"There were a couple, but I took this one because they have a women's team too. Taking my partner over, and playing in the same team would be a pretty cool experience for us."
Should Sowakula miss out on further All Blacks selection, he could well find himself in the frame to represent his country of birth - Fiji.
While a 36-month stand-down period rules him out of playing for the Pacific nation in France next year, he would be eligible for the 2027 World Cup.
"Probably, we'll see," Sowakula said. "The availability, if it's there, in the next three years maybe. Hopefully the legs are still hanging on, and the lungs."
