“It sort of boils down to one thing and it’s I can’t control any of that. So, the best thing I can do is just to be ready and play some good rugby.

“There’s a lot of things that have happened or things that have been said, but for me, that’s number one, is just focus on myself and control what I can control.”

While a return to New Zealand rugby through the NPC is required for Mo’unga to hope for an All Blacks recall at some stage this season, the 56-test first five-eighths, who has been nursing a calf injury, said he didn’t expect to be back playing in the provincial competition.

“To be honest, it wasn’t on the cards.

“It’s certainly something I didn’t think I would do, but [I’ve] been really focusing the last couple months on just controlling what I can control. And at this stage, it’s getting my calf right and playing good rugby for Canterbury.”

During his time in Japan, Mo’unga won two League One titles with Toshiba Braves Lupus, but the team was knocked out in the quarter-finals this season.

Reflecting on his time in the country, Mo’unga said he had taken plenty away from having to adapt to a different style of play, but said his want to pull the All Blacks jersey on again remained strong throughout the past three years.

“There’s nothing else like test rugby.

“While in Japan, that’s been the biggest desire for me, is missing that arena and missing the privilege it is to represent your country and to put on that black jersey. And it’s something I know won’t just happen overnight.

“You have to have patience and a lot of discipline to make sure that if you do get that opportunity, you’ve got to be ready.”

Canterbury will begin their NPC campaign this year on August 1 at home against Auckland and, should Mo’unga feature, it would signal his All Blacks availability.

However, going into the season, he said he would be going out simply to try and play good rugby and let everything else happen off the back of it.

“I don’t think I’d have to prove myself.

“I’m just really focusing on playing good rugby and in this Canterbury team. It might look a bit different to what it looks like in other teams and [I’m] just really going to put my best foot forward and do whatever this team needs me to do within this campaign.”

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.