After an absence of almost three years, former All Blacks lock Chris Jack is set to resume his Crusaders career against the Lions in their sixth round Super 14 clash at AMI Stadium on Saturday.
Jack, who made his debut in 1999 and racked up 89 appearances over nine seasons before joining London club Saracens after the 2007 World Cup, has hopes of reclaiming an All Blacks jersey and winning a place in New Zealand's 2011 World Cup squad.
The road to fulfilling that dream will most likely come from the reserves bench against the Lions. His start to the season has been delayed by a wrist operation, but the 31-year-old 2.01m lock has impressed in two recent appearances for the Canterbury Development team and coach Todd Blackadder has indicated he will be in Crusaders 22-man team when it is named on Thursday.
Jack said after training on Tuesday that the wrist, while still heavily strapped, was causing little concern.
"Toddy has done a really good thing for me in the way he's managed me and given me time.
I've been available for the last couple of weeks but he decided to put me into the development team and that's been a good learning curve into getting back into New Zealand rugby."
Jack said he had enjoyed his stay in England and had declined offers from French clubs in pursuit of World Cup victory with the All Blacks on home soil next year.
He said he had 'two nightmares already' after being part of the unsuccessful All Blacks World Cup campaigns in 2003 and 2007 and he wanted another chance for redemption.
"If I don't make it, I don't make it but at least I know I've given myself a chance and that's something that would have me scarred for life if I hadn't tried."
Jack said the pathway to higher honours would be a challenge as he felt the best three-performing locks of the New Zealand Super 14 teams were his Crusaders rivals – All Blacks Brad Thorn and Isaac Ross and rising star Sam Whitelock.
"My goal is to go out there and do the best I can and see whether I'm up to it. Maybe they're better athletes than when I first started but I'm not sure whether the physical or mental intensity has increased.
"The guys who I started with were outstanding players who were prepared to put it out on the field every time they went out there.
"These (present) guys are just the same but there may be a few quicker locks and loose forwards about than there were in the past."
Jack said he was relishing returning to dry grounds and the more expansive game played by the southern hemisphere sides.
"I enjoy the running game. That's what I was brought up on and it's good to be back and playing the position I'm used to (Saracens used him a lot as a blindside flanker) and playing the type of game I've loved all my life."