All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder is relishing his chance to gear up for the Manawatū Turbos, as he prepares to make his return to the Mitre 10 Cup.
Left out of Steve Hansen's side for this weekend's Bledisloe Cup opener, Milner-Skudder, 27, will instead line up for the Turbos in their season opener against Waikato in Palmerston North on Saturday.
However, with injury plaguing the winger's past couple of seasons, Milner-Skudder is finding himself as a rookie in the Manawatū side, playing just 37 games for the Turbos since 2011.
Speaking to the Manawatū Standard, Milner-Skudder spoke about his experience in returning to provincial rugby.
"There is a bigger picture and playing rugby here has ended up working out pretty well," Milner-Skudder said.
"I feel like it's always a breath of fresh air playing at this level instead of the All Blacks. There's not as much pressure."
Milner-Skudder also says that his All Blacks demotion has only left him even hungrier to get back into the black jersey.
"I'm a pretty motivated person," he said. "I have pretty high standards."
"It is awesome for the region with young guys growing up here and seeing guys who have been through school showing they can make it in the All Blacks."
Milner-Skudder will line up in the unfamiliar number 11 jersey on Saturday, when the Turbos face Waikato in Palmerston North.
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