Damian McKenzie can’t escape the reminders - not when he’s surrounded by 11 Hurricanes players in All Blacks camp.
But, as the 74-test veteran reiterated a few times after training in Christchurch today, he simply has to move on from yet more Super Rugby finals pain - and quickly.
That, of course, includes Ruben Love, one of the players McKenzie is competing against for first shot in the No 10 jersey when the All Blacks kickoff the Nations Championship against France at One New Zealand Stadium on Saturday night.
McKenzie says the Canes player are good humble blokes who have got the one up for the year, as those boys deserved everything they got, they had an awesome year.
He says once they are in the All Blacks squad, they put everything aside in terms of Super Rugby as they are now one team, and they have all got to focus together as a group, and that is the first test against the French.
Speaking of work, McKenzie, Love and Beauden Barrett are vying for the much-discussed No 10 jersey to kickoff the Dave Rennie era.
The All Blacks will face France at 7.10pm Saturday.
In other games, Australia plays Ireland at 10.10pm, the FIJI Water Flying Fijians will meet Wales at 1.10am Sunday, the Springboks will face England at 3.40am, while Argentina will meet Scotland at 7.10am.
