Star first-five Glen Jackson hasn't discarded the possibility of pulling a Bay of Plenty jersey on again this year - but the likelihood of that happening appears to be diminishing by the week.
Jackson has been back in New Zealand with wife Fiona for 10 days and on Sunday flies back to London, where he's playing for English club Saracens.
The star of Bay of Plenty's vintage NPC season last year signed a one-year contract with the Watford-based club, leaving in October when the Steamers were knocked out of the semifinals.
But the first month with Saracens were anything but encouraging and six weeks ago 29-year-old Jackson was ready to pull the pin and come home.
"The first six weeks were pretty tough work, basically because I'd come off a pretty good NPC season and probably needed to have a break," Jackson said.
"I caught chicken pox which probably didn't help either - I was pretty crook for a couple of weeks."
Before he came home, Saracens boss Mark Sinderberry indicated they'd like to keep Jackson on and suggested a further two-year contract would be offered when he got back.
Steamers coach Vern Cotter has said he still hoped to have Jackson playing for Bay of Plenty against the Lions in June and the skilful pivot admitted he was flattered but at the moment there was only one offer on the table.
"I certainly haven't ruled it out, that's for sure. Saracens have started to talk about things now but I haven't heard diddly-squat from the Bay. I'll be going back and talking to Saracens about where they see me fitting into their picture. They told me before I left that they were really keen to get me for another two years but I haven't actually signed anything.
"The last two weeks over there were much better - six weeks ago I was definitely coming back. I also can't get the memory of what happened with the Bay last year out of my head either - how exciting it was and how good a year it was. I guess I've got a 24-hour flight home to think about it."
Saracens are currently eighth on the Zurich Premiership table and beat Brive in the first leg of the European Challenge Cup quarterfinals last weekend, a competition Jackson is ineligible for because he wasn't registered in time to play in Europe.
His first game back next week will be another quarterfinal, this time the Powergen English knockout competition against London Irish.
At least now he's a bit more comfortable with the differing style his coaches demand of him, although Saracens suffered another blow last month when their Australian coach Rod Krafer quit midway through the season.
Assistant coach Steve Diamond was promoted and this has necessitated another slight change in tactics. "It's just taken a while to get used to how they play and what they want from me.
"Now I know field position is everything - it's not too bad if you've got a good kicking game - it means you don't have to be too fit."
Generally the skill level in the English player is below his New Zealand counterpart, although the English defensive screens are better organised. The exception to the skill rule is England star Jonny Wilkinson, whom Jackson faced for the first time in late December when Saracens played Newcastle.
With Wilkinson on the bench, Saracens rattled up a 17-5 halftime lead and were seemingly cruising.
"Then he came on and we only won by the skin of our teeth, 22-20. He's very influential and he draws crowds over there like Jonah used to do here.
"It's the first time I've actually played him and to see first-hand just how good he is, the All Blacks and the Bay will definitely be hoping he stays injured for the Lions series." Jackson, meanwhile, has clocked up 28 points in the five games he's appeared in so far for the club, including scoring a try just six minutes into his debut.
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