At least one Hurricanes player won't be forgetting their dismal opening to last year's Super Rugby season, wary that a repeat will mean another boot up the backside.
The 15-a-side format takes a back seat this weekend to the inaugural Brisbane Tens but one-Test All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, wanting to focus on his technique, will be sitting it out.
"I want to focus on my scrummaging really and the 10s won't really provide that for me," the 125kg prop told reporters on Tuesday.
Toomaga-Allen didn't need to be reminded of last year and wants to hit the 2017 season ready for battle.
In last year's Super Rugby opener, the Hurricanes were thumped 52-10 by the Brumbies in Canberra before going on to win the title for the first time.
"I have not forgotten, hence why I have trained so hard," Toomaga-Allen said.
"I felt like I let the team down, first round, I'm not scared to say I got called into the office and got a kick up the arse.
"It was a real eye-opener for me and I don't want that to happen this year."
Meanwhile, assistant coach Jason Holland was happy with the Hurricanes' 38-33 pre-season win over the Blues in Auckland at the weekend.
Fans were happy to see the return from injury of All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder.
"Skuds has been amping and ready to go since November so it be good to get him out there," Holland said.
The Hurricanes opening match of the Super Rugby season is against the Sunwolves in Tokyo on February 25.
