With his days as a Crusader numbered, All Blacks first-five Richie Mo'unga has expressed his gratitude towards the franchise.
Mo'unga, 29, is one of several internationals saying 'sayonara' to New Zealand at the end of the year, inking a three-year deal with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan.
While most of the players leaving are either fringe All Blacks, over the age of 30 or both, Mo'unga's exit can be seen as a huge loss, with some of his best days still ahead of him.
Already this season, he has described the decision to leave as solely about setting up his young family financially, happy to bear the cost of no longer being able to wear the black jersey.
Since his 2016 Crusaders debut, Mo'unga has become arguably the face of the franchise, alongside coach Scott Robertson. The pair have shared all six of the Crusaders' run of titles, which could potentially extend to seven by the end of the month.
All up, Mo'unga has made more than 100 appearances for the Crusaders and only All Blacks great Dan Carter has scored more points for the side.
If not for the Crusaders, Mo'unga wouldn't have accrued 44 tests for the All Blacks and put himself in contention to move to Japan to set his family up for life.
Now into the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, starting with Fijian Drua on Saturday, there's a chance that any game could be Mo'unga's last in red and black.
"I've had moments this year where I've had to think about that," said Mo'unga. "I just feel really lucky and blessed to be part of an organisation that's given me so much.
"I think I needed this team. Just thinking about finals footy, rugby's pretty brutal, it doesn't favour fairytale endings.
"It favours those who work hard and prepare well. I've had to put my mind on that and nothing else really.
"This team needs me to be concentrated and focussed on what's at hand, rather than getting a bit teary and emotional - which the boys have seen me at this year.
"I'm just excited to be in this position and finish well."
The Crusaders' first taste of knockout rugby this year comes against a side that has already had the better of them. In week three of the competition, them 25-24 at Lautoka.
The reverse fixture should play out much differently, taking away the crucial advantage that playing in Fiji has given the Super Rugby newcomers.
Despite any emotion over a potential end to his time in Christchurch, Mo'unga is solely focussed on the job at hand.
"It's very real," he added. "Finals footy is very different, anything can happen.
"We have to be really prepared. For myself, whether it's my last game or last couple of games, I'm not distracted by any of that.
"It's around what I have to do for this team."
