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Jeremy Thrush's whirlwind of emotions as the 2008 rugby season ended have been jettisoned as he laces up for his return to the Hurricanes Super 14 starting lineup tomorrow night.
Thrush will take a clear head and eagerness to improve the Hurricanes' commitment quota when they host the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
Both teams are coming off narrow first-week losses, adding an edge to a clash which has been desperately tight over the past two seasons.
Thrush was impressive in 30 minutes off the bench in the 22-26 loss to the New South Wales Waratahs, adding vigour that had been missing.
It was reminiscent of his rampant form for Wellington in last year's Air NZ Cup, his bulky frame carrying the ball to strong effect, mixed with shuddering defensive work.
The 23-year-old rocketed into contention for the All Blacks' year-end tour but missed out to provincial teammate Ross Filipo.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Thrush would have won the nod if the squad was named a month earlier - which simply added to a painful weekend.
The night before, Wellington had lost the domestic final 6-7 to Canterbury.
"The last game of last year was quite disappointing really and that was really my main goal at that stage, to win the title," Thrush said.
"To hear the next day I'd missed out on the All Blacks was also disappointing but I'm still quite young and I've got things to work on.
"I'm the first one to realise when I haven't been playing very well and I'd kind of eased off at the end of the NPC and didn't play my best rugby."
While it was nice to know he was in the thoughts of the national selectors, Thrush put that and praise from other quarters aside as he ploughed through his off-season work.
"People can tell you things and you can hear things but if you're not going to perform on the field, there's no point in hearing them."
The former world under-19 player of the year in 2004 played all 14 games in his Hurricanes debut season last year.
He was eased back in last week because of a pelvis injury that ruled him out of the pre-season games.
His presence in place of Bryn Evans will be welcomed by an altered Hurricanes side.
They will be captained for the first time by centre Tamati Ellison, who is partnered by Jason Kawau while All Blacks midfielders Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu reside on the reserve bench.
Smith has overcome a groin injury but is being eased back in while while second five-eighth Nonu is relegated after struggling against the Waratahs.
Exciting winger David Smith replaces Zac Guildford while No 8 Victor Vito will become Hurricanes player No 150 when he debuts in place of usual skipper Rodney So'oialo, who is serving a one-game ban for his rucking to the head of Waratahs counterpart Phil Waugh.
A sixth change could be at halfback, where Piri Weepu is bracketed with Alby Mathewson.
All Black Weepu was named to start at first five-eighth last week but pulled out late with an ankle injury.
Thrush said an allround improvement would be needed against a Highlanders side who he said always played for each other and were difficult to subdue.
"It was our first game of the season and maybe we were a bit over-keen," he said.
"It's a good vibe this week, the boys are pretty keen to make up for last week."
Thrush said former sevens sensation Vito would bring enthusiasm.
"He's young and a bloody good athlete," he said.
" He loves the ball in hand, there's no doubting that. But he'll get stuck in and do the work and he's physical in defence, so we'd like to see that from him.
"Rodney's a key player to this team. It's disappointing he wasn't allowed to play this week but we can't let that stop us."
The Hurricanes have only lost once at home to the Highlanders but have scraped to victory in recent meetings.
They won a bore-fest 10-6 in Dunedin last season and needed a missed conversion in the last minute from Nick Evans to see off the southerners 22-21 the year before.
Hurricanes
Cory Jane, David Smith, Tamati Ellison (captain), Jason Kawau, Hosea Gear, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Piri Weepu/Alby Mathewson, Victor Vito, Scott Waldrom, Faifili Levave, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Dane Coles, John Schwalger.
Reserves: Ged Robinson, Jacob Ellison, Api Naikatini, Karl Lowe, Mathewson/Willie Ripia, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith
- NZPA
