Doug Howlett is smiling now he is back in the All Blacks squad, but will he score some game time against the Springboks in the crucial Tri-Nations clash on Saturday?
Sitiveni Sivivatu's long list of injuries has allowed for Howlett's recall, making him a contender for Rico Gear's right wingspot.
Howlett says he has taken positives out of his initial axing, and that being dropped may have been a blessing in disguise.
Doug Howlett has been working on his faults and his fitness, and been able to get some game time under his belt for Auckland.
He says he was told to go away and work on the little things like beating a man, and he is keen to show he can still do that.
Meanwhile, Howlett says the All Blacks are working on tactics to break through South Africa's dominant defensive structure.
Howlett says the rushing defence has been a key part in the success of the Springboks, so they are formulating a scheme to counter it.
The All Blacks reveal their side at 1:30 on Tuesday afternoon, with most of the attention on who will wear the number 10 jersey.
Leon MacDonald ran there on Monday at the public session in Dunedin.
