All Blacks winger Sevu Reece is ready to “fire” up this weekend as he returns to the National Provincial Championship.
The national side has been afforded a brief hiatus from international matches, leaving several of their players available for selection with their local teams in the domestic competition.
Reece was one of 11 players released by the All Blacks and is preparing to lace up with the Tasman Mako after touring South Africa and missing a spot in head coach Ian Foster’s 23.
Having missed both Test matches against the Springboks, Reece is bursting to play some footy with the Mako, hoping he can use this opportunity to push back into Foster’s starting lineup.
“Obviously … you know, (when you miss) two games and when you don’t play, you have all this fire inside you,” Reece said on SENZ’s The Run Home.
“It’s just a matter of getting an opportunity or just getting time to get back out there and play for the All Blacks or whatever team you get to play for.
“If you get that opportunity, just make the most of it and yeah I just hope Foz (Foster) is watching this game.”
The 25-year-old, who is known for his electric pace on the wing, has been selected at fullback for the Mako and will be surrounded by a backline full of Super Rugby stars.
Fellow All Black Leicester Fainga’anuku will also make an appearance for the franchise, adding to a backline that Reece is “excited” to ignite from the back.
“100 per cent (it’s exciting),” Reece continued.
“Even today (training) at fullback … I could look left, right … could literally hit anyone and they’ll take us forward.
“(They’re) all good athletes and I’m just so excited, I can’t wait to go out there and play this weekend and obviously playing at fullback it’ll be interesting to see how I actually go myself.”
The Mako will take on North Harbour away from home on Saturday afternoon, where both Reece and Fainga’anuku will be looking to make a statement on the field.
Following their week-long break, the All Blacks will head back into camp next week as they prepare to take on the Rugby Championship-leading Los Pumas at Orangetheory Stadium on August 27.