For new Chiefs first-five Aaron Cruden it's a new year, a new team but not quite a new knee.
Cruden has made himself at home at his new Super Rugby franchise in the Waikato and told the Bay Times he was enjoying the new environment and the ribbing from his new team mates.
The new environment included hitch-hiking from Hamilton to Ohope for team building exercises something which shocked the 22-year-old.
"Yeah that was an experience. That was my first time hitch-hiking, so it was pretty cool. I think it caught all the boys by surprise to turn up [in Hamilton] and they said 'we will meet you in Whakatane at 5pm.' But it was all good fun and the boys got into it."
Its been a rapid return for the fleet footed first-five who is recovering from a knee injury suffered in the Rugby World Cup final.
Cruden wasn't expected to return from holiday until January 9. But a quick call to his former Manawatu and current Chiefs coach Dave Rennie made the decision easy.
"I'd been away in the United States for about a month with my partner and I gave Rens a call and he said do you want to come up for a couple of weeks before Christmas?' I wasn't up to much and it was a good chance to meet the boys."
The backline wizard said a fractured tibia (shin bone) and a damaged posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee hadn't required surgery as he had first been told.
"The doctor said it was probably the best result we could have hoped for [not having surgery] ... I was in a knee brace for about a month and I was happy to get that off, that's for sure."
Despite only getting a couple of weeks to fit into the Chiefs' new coaching regime, Cruden said it had been ample time to pick up on the team's excitement.
"I think that's what everyone is sort of feeling. Just something new and different ideas. I think a new coach does that," Cruden said.
"The boys who have been in the Chiefs for a little while probably got used to Fozzie [Ian Foster] and I think with Rens coming in, he's going to bring new ideas and it all bodes well."
While Cruden is back at training it hasn't been full throttle with his knee nowhere near 100 per cent.
"It's coming along really well and I'm pretty happy with the way it's tracking at the moment. I've talked to the doctor and physio and they said I'm able to start doing some straight line jogging. So hopefully I'll be able to participate in a bit more stuff with the boys in early January."
Cruden said he was optimistic he would be back for his first game for the Chiefs in their last pre-season game, when they take on the Hurricanes in Taupo on February 17.
The Chiefs other two pre-season matches are against the Rebels in Australia on February 3 and against the Highlanders in Queenstown on February 10.
Cruden and the squad are now on break until January 7. The first-five said he will head back to the Manawatu for Christmas.
"Yeah just going to head back to Palmy and spend quality time with mum and dad ... spend a bit of time with the family and friends that I haven't been able to see for a little while.