If there was any extra motivation needed for the Crusaders heading into their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Blues on Friday, allowing veteran Sam Whitelock the chance to say goodbye could be it.
Whitelock, 34, has signed to join French side Pau from next year - bringing to an end his time in New Zealand and the Crusaders - for whom he's made 180 appearances since his debut in 2010.
But, after suffering an Achilles injury in his side's final regular season game - a defeat to the Hurricanes - Whitelock missed last week's quarter-final win over Fijian Drua and won't feature against the Blues on Friday.
Should the Crusaders lose, Whitelock will end his Crusaders and Super Rugby career without getting to say a proper onfield goodbye.
And while there's no guarantee given the state of his Achilles, victory would allow Whitelock a chance at playing his final game - either at home or away in Hamilton depending on the Chiefs' result against ACT Brumbies on Saturday.
That desire to give Whitelock the perfect send-off is pushing the Crusaders into Friday's contest with the Blues.
"It'd be everything," assistant coach Dan Perrin said. "He's the master, isn't he? He's given so much to this club.
"Personally for him, we'd love to be able to give him the send-off he deserves - because he does deserve it."
Despite being unavailable, though, Whitelock has continued to make his presence known at Crusaders' training.
Injury hasn't limited Whitelock's involvement in the Crusaders' preparations, with the veteran lending any and every bit of expertise available to him in order to help his teammates get over the line against their arch-rivals.
"He'll sit there in all the meetings and still contribute like he was playing," said lock Quinten Strange. "It's [a] testament to him, the character and how much he cares about the jersey.
"It's valuable information he gives out that we take on board.
"He's sitting in meetings with his foot in an ice bucket and all sorts, he's doing everything [he can].
"I really hope, for his sake, we can get the job done - and he gets the chance to wear the jersey one more time."
As part of the all-conquering Crusaders side under Scott Robertson, Whitelock has played in all of the side's run of six titles in the past six years, gunning for a seventh in 2023.
