Former All Black first five-eighths Aaron Cruden marked the return to fitness preparation for New Zealand's Super Rugby sides by announcing he would be heading back overseas once Super Rugby Aotearoa was completed.
Cruden said he would be heading overseas to continue his career once completing his stint with the Chiefs but just where would be announced by the club concerned in about a month.
But at the same time, he said he and his wife and child felt it had been opportune to return to New Zealand from France when they did to feel safer when compared to what has happened in Europe.
He added that there was some disappointment among players that no final would be played in the revised competition.
"The Rugby Union put together a competition that they see fitting time-wise but talking to a few guys, they would love a final whether it was just one and two playing off in an extra game in a final.
"But for us, it is going to be the landscape we are facing and it is going to be the same for every team.
"Regardless, it is going to be an awesome competition and probably one of the premier competitions in the world and we're lucky to be back out on the field sooner than some others," he said.
"Hopefully, the New Zealand teams can provide some good rugby so that everyone around the world can sit back and relax and just enjoy the product," he said.
Cruden said first on the team's agenda on Monday had been being familiarised with the protocols that would be put in place to ensure the team's health and safety.
Upon arriving at the team's training centre they were signed in and had temperatures taken before a group meeting about procedures and protocols that would be put in place.
"It's interesting because there is no manual so everyone is just trying to put the best parameters and protocols in place," he said.
It was apparent once they were allowed into the gym that there was plenty of enthusiasm about being involved again.
"I think we realised we were in a very fortunate to be back into a rugby environment. You could certainly see the boys were pretty happy to be back together and to rip into things and with the new Super Rugby Aotearoa about to kick off everyone is pretty excited," he said.
Cruden said he thought the 10-week series of New Zealand only games would be 'a real humdinger'.
"The fans really enjoy those local derbies but I think the players do as well, you're playing against good friends and world-class players week in and week out and there's always a little extra spice when you play one of the other New Zealand teams," he said.
It was likely the team that was best prepared would be the most successful, he said.
"We'll take the next four weeks to build and prepare as a team and then get excited about lacing up the boots again."
They had been reminded to settle into their work rather than causing unnecessary injuries as a result of overdoing things.
Cruden said he had noticed the quality of younger players who were still being produced through the New Zealand rugby season and he felt refreshed by what he had seen in the few weeks they were able to play.