All Blacks and Blues forward Akira Ioane is still unsure what his future holds, as he prepares to mark a special milestone for his Super Rugby franchise this weekend.
Ioane will play his 100th match for the Blues this weekend in a blockbuster showdown against the defending champion Crusaders at Eden Park this weekend.
But beyond that, Ioane insists he's yet to determine whether or not he'll join the raft of other All Blacks leaving NZ shores after the upcoming World Cup.
"I haven't thought about anything yet," said Ioane.
"I'm just trying to make sure I play well here and the rest will take care of itself. It's just more around what I want and what I want to do going forward."
Last month, his brother and fellow All Blacks star Rieko Ioane inked a new four-year contract extension with NZ Rugby, which will keep him in the country through the World Cup cycle following France.
Starting back in their high school days at Auckland Grammar, the Ioane brothers have spent their entire rugby careers at each other's sides.
They played their club rugby with Ponsonby, before graduating to Auckland NPC, the Blues, then to test level with the All Blacks. They even represented NZ sevens together.
But the eldest Ioane is adamant his younger brother's recent recommitment would have no bearing on his decision.
"I've spent nine years playing with him, so I think I've had enough," he joked.
"I'd love to play with him more but it's just whatever the future holds for me. I don't know yet, so I'm just looking forward to enjoying the season."
The powerful No. 8 began his career at the Blues back in 2015, making his debut as a 19-year-old.
It hasn't always been plain sailing for Ioane, who's experienced some rollercoaster bouts of form and tumultuous moments on the pitch.
Now with 22 tests under his belt, Ioane admits he's evolved a huge amount, both on and off the field.
"[The ride] has been bumpy as well, but I have done a lot of growing as a person and as a player as well," he notes.
"My small circle, my family and my friends and my partner really helped. I'm just happy to be where I am now."
Raising a century for his beloved team will be a "special" achievement for both himself and his loved ones, he said.
"Not just for me, but for my family as well, being born and bred here.
"You sort of dream about doing these things and to play 100 games on Saturday…. pretty special."
