Rugby: Jack Goodhue returns home

Jack Goodhue is returning to his roots for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season.

The 22-year-old has joined Northland after spending three years with Canterbury and is excited to be in the Cambridge blue.

"I always wanted to come back and I'm really glad I made that decision. They're a great bunch of guys and I'm really looking forward to playing with them," he said.

"I'm just trying to play my game. The team is good enough; I just have to do my part.

"If I think what I've learnt down south will help with the team, I'll help out."

He will also get the opportunity to play alongside twin brother Josh again, something he's looking forward to.

"It's been a while since we've played together, not since New Zealand Under 20s [in 2015]. We've been talking about it for a while and we're both really excited," he said.

"It's good to be living with him again after sharing a room with him for most of my life."

Goodhue was a fixture of the Crusaders side that took out the Super Rugby title with a 25-17 win over the Lions.

The centre crossed the line in front of a packed crowd in Johannesburg. He said it was an unbelievable experience.

"It was an amazing feeling to go over and do it in front of 64,000 screaming Lions supporters. To be fair there were a fair few Crusaders supporters who made the trip," he said.

"It was unreal to do it in that sort of fashion. The Lions really stepped up at the end.

"It felt like they had 16 guys out there, not 14. There was a lot of pressure but I'm really happy with it."

Goodhue was rewarded for a strong debut Super Rugby season with initially an All Blacks injury cover for the British and Irish Lions Tour before becoming a full member of the squad through a hamstring injury to Crusaders team-mate Ryan Crotty.

He said he found out about his selection the old-fashioned way.

"I originally found out in the paper when they [were] announced. I had no idea before that. That's how they've traditionally done it and I think it's pretty cool to find out when everyone else does," he said.

"It wasn't anything massive like you'd imagine. They aren't doing anything revolutionary, it's more doing things with more detail and at a higher standard.

"They have that expectation on you. It was good pressure to put myself under. I learnt a few things, little details and tweaks that improve the one-percenters in my game."

Goodhue flourished playing outside arguably the best midfielder in the country in Crotty for the Crusaders and he feels that has improved his own game.

"He's been great to work with. We just loved having chats about how we can improve our game and do things differently," he said.

"He was big on putting guys under pressure on defence and getting into the right position at the right time on attack.

"Whether that's holding your feet when someone's coming at you or taking the space because the defence are being passive."