Now, with a clearer vision of his place in the team, Love acknowledges the personal growth that came with his challenges. "It’s pretty special being here because the two years before this I didn’t really play much for the All Blacks," Love shared with the New Zealand Herald. "I was training a lot of the time. It certainly allowed me to look at myself on and off the field and why I wasn’t playing. That’s purely because I probably wasn’t good enough. You have to take that personally and reflect on your game."
"It's worked out OK but there's still a long way to go. I haven’t done anything yet."
After a period of reflection following the 2024 tour, Love set a determined goal to claim and retain the Hurricanes' and All Blacks' No. 10 jerseys. His hard work and newfound self-belief have started to pay dividends, but he remains aware that he has yet to fully prove himself.
The upcoming match against the world champions represents a significant step up for Love, with heightened expectations and pressures. "I know these next few games are going to be way different in terms of the kick pressure and those sorts of things," he explained. "I’ll keep riding the wave and know that all the keys the coaches give me allow us to get out of pressure moments."
This game stands not only as a pivotal career moment for Love but also as a crucial challenge for the All Blacks as they face a formidable opponent in a high-stakes environment. As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Love to see if he can translate his personal growth into a performance that lives up to the legacy of his jersey and the expectations of his team and nation.
