Had he never toured New Zealand, bristling England No 8 forward Lawrence Dallaglio would have felt shortchanged.
He has played 56 tests, but only four against the All Blacks, and never in Godzone - until today.
His first chance was lost with a shoulder injury on the Tour From Hell in 1998, a trip he had desperately wanted to be fully involved in.
"When one thinks of rugby the All Blacks spring close to mind and so does New Zealand, so to have played rugby at a certain level for over 10 years and not to have come to New Zealand would have certainly been a missing piece of the jigsaw," he said.
After 10 days preparing in Wellington, he felt there was something different about the sporting atmosphere. He had not been stopped in the streets with advice about loose forward play but, as he said, New Zealanders had not seen him play yet.
"Back home, obviously you can go about your business in a reasonably unfussy manner ... but obviously over here rugby is viewed slightly differently," he said.
During his distinguished career, Dallaglio has not always avoided public scrutiny, particularly in 1999, when he was fined for bringing the game into disrepute over a drugs and sex scandal.
He has recovered from that torment, the tragic drowning of his sister Francesca in a Thames riverboat accident, being dropped as England captain and serious shoulder and knee injuries.
His form of late has been powerful and Wales coach Steve Hansen singled Dallaglio out for special mention when he passed through New Zealand this week.
With Richard Hill and Neil Back, he forms a potent and experienced trio of ball carriers, support players and foragers.
"I just feel that the way the season finished there is a bit of momentum there so I was very much looking forward to this whole tour really.
"When you are winning and things are going well for you, you want to carry on playing," he said.
This trip had received a huge boost with an opening victory against the New Zealand Maori and it had been fascinating to see how much focus had been put here on England's physical prowess, he said.
The perception was that England were purely forward-oriented, had a limited backline, kicked a lot and loved wet conditions.
That was some distance away from where England were. They brought significant strengths of difference to their game, he said.
Internationals were vastly different from the rugby played in the Super 12 or the Zurich premiership, and England and the All Blacks would reflect that.
Dallaglio lost his place in the England side after the test against the All Blacks last November as he struggled with a knee problem. He was angry at being dropped.
"I would question players who are delighted," he said. "If you are happy to sit on the bench then there is something definitely wrong in your makeup.
"I think I acted appropriately and clearly I disagreed with the decision, but it is a question of biding your time."
Since Christmas, he said, his injuries had disappeared and he felt strong again. He had rededicated himself and had been encouraged by his form in the latter half of the season.
The key between the two sides, he said, would be which side clicked into gear better. It helped the England team that they were familiar with one another's play, but that was no guarantee of success.
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