Photo: Photosport
Joe Moody says he may have played his last test with the All Blacks.
The 57-cap prop was omitted from the squad announced by Scott Robertson announced this week and will instead tour Japan with the Māori All Blacks.
The snub did not come as a shock for Moody.
"I wouldn't say I was disappointed, to be honest, because I didn't expect it this year. I played minimal minutes with Crusaders. So, being realistic. I didn't expect to make any of the sides, let alone this one."
However, he said he hoped the door was not shut on his international career.
"It's always a goal. You want to be the best in whatever you do. You want to be there.
"Whether or not it happens, I don't know, but I'll definitely be putting my best foot forward to try at least anyway."
Moody said he had not had any discussions with Robertson.
"I was in the camp in Christchurch. But as far as comms went, there wasn't really any chat between us. What will be, will be, if I play good footy, that'll sort itself out."
He said it was exciting to see some young blood get an opportunity, with Pasilio Tosi among five debutants.
"I hadn't watched a lot of the other Super Rugby games this year, so he was a bit of an unknown to me but these young guys getting a crack, it's awesome for them."
Photo: Photosport
Nine years since last donning the Māori All Black jersey, Moody said it was an honour to be back.
"Getting the call up, I was proud as punch, really happy to be here. The memories are still fresh in my mind. I remember being in here, in that 2015 season. I loved it. It was one of the best team environments that I've ever been in."
Moody, affiliated to Ngāi Tahu, said he was excited about reconnecting with his whakapapa.
"With footy and everything, I haven't really had a lot to do with the cultural side of things and getting back on the marae and stuff. But growing up, (I) spent a lot of time growing up on the marae with my family. So it's just awesome to reconnect with the culture and I'm just looking forward to getting amongst it and fully submerged."
Moody won seven Super Rugby championships since making his debut with the Crusaders in 2013.
However, he rated the side's horror 2024 season among the low points of his esteemed career.
"Both on a personal level and a team, not getting the game time that I wanted was pretty tough to deal (with) and then being in a team where we've basically won everything for the last seven years to just about wooden spooners, it was bit of, a bit of a turnaround and was a real anti-climatic feel about things."
But whether he had another season of Super Rugby in him or could play his way back into All Blacks contention was not the current focus, he said.
"Just looking forward to these next couple of weeks over in Japan. Really want to play some good footy over there. Then, you know, post that rip into NPC and just put my hand up, show that I'm keen, ready, and then see what comes of it."
Photo: PHOTOSPORT