For young Kiwi rugby players, the dream is to reach the pinnacle of the sport and don the black jersey. When you get there, the goal is to stay there.
However, that second goal is not always one a player has control over as injuries or form slumps are apart of the game, and can cost players their spot in the national squad.
This week, the All Blacks heard stories of such occasions, with players returning to the squad for the Steinlager Series addressing the rest of the group and sharing their own experiences.
There are several returning players in the first All Blacks squad of 2021, including Angus Ta'avao, Brodie Retallick, David Havili, George Bridge and Luke Jacobson, and assistant coach John Plumtree said it was a special session hearing the stories the returning group shared.
"We just had the returnees get up and chat about what it was like to be out of the All Blacks and, I guess, what it's like to be back in," Plumtree explained.
"It's pretty special for those boys to share that, and it gives us a bit of a closer insight into what they go through when they are out of the All Blacks and want to be in here.
Luke Jacobson returned to the All Blacks environment ahead of their first tests of the year. Photo / Photosport
"Every player in the country wants to be in the All Blacks. Sometimes you get injured and have been out, then you come back and get injured again. It can be a pretty frustrating experience. So, hearing their stories makes it pretty special to everyone in the team. We're privileged to be here, we're all fit and well.
"It can be (emotional). It's up to the individual on how much they want to share as to how emotional they get. Some are better at it than others, but it's just their opportunity."
For Jacobson, the road back into the All Blacks squad has been a rocky one. The 24-year-old made his debut in 2019 and was selected as part of the squad for the Rugby World Cup, only to be sent home before the tournament started due to ongoing concussion issues.
He then sustained various other injuries while on his comeback path, which set his progress back and saw other loose forwards stake their own claims to roles in the squad.
However, he made a strong return with Waikato in the National Provincial Championship late last year, and continued that form into Super Rugby campaigns with the Chiefs, ultimately earning a spot in the All Blacks squad once more.
"I just talked about my journey of making the decision to come home and probably the year I had last year was not my ideal route to try to get back in – a few more injuries," Jacobson said of addressing the group.
"It's a little edgy jumping up there, but you know everyone's supporting you and whatever you say, it's not like they're going to think twice about it."
