Daniel Carter shocked a nation when a groin injury struck him down during kicking practice at the World Cup in October. The man himself talked of his "devastation'' at the injury and the rest of the nation nodded their collective heads. We told ourselves that we knew exactly how he felt.
It's a theme he still returns to, even now, and on the eve of a playing comeback for the Crusaders in the less familiar No 21 jersey, rather than the 10 that he is famous for.
He won't be taking kicks at goal against the Cheetahs on Saturday night, either, with 23-year-old Tom Taylor, who is making his starting debut at first-five, getting that job.
Now that he's fit again, the man who spent a few dollars as just another punter at a Las Vegas casino during his break away from rugby is not about to risk anything.
And although his return on the bench is more low-key than the usual fanfare that greets his every move, that's fine with Carter. He is just happy to be a part of a Crusaders team about to play at home in Christchurch for the first time in two years. The occasion is a significant one for him.
"I've experienced a lot in my life and this is definitely up there in terms of excitement, for a number of reasons,'' he said. "The first one is coming back from an injury which was pretty devastating. A chance to play again is very exciting, and for me there is no better way to do it than back in front of our home people here in Christchurch at a new stadium. It's been well overdue so it's going to be a great occasion. I can't wait.''
His break at the end of last year came at just the right time for the 30-year-old, who had experienced a unique and tumultuous 2011.
As if the Christchurch earthquakes, which put him and his Crusaders side through their around-the-world odyssey weren't enough, his body failed him at just the wrong time - on the eve of the All Blacks' final pool game - and meant he missed being part of something he dearly wanted after the disappointment of 2007.
And there is no doubt having a wedding to Honor Dillon to plan and a honeymoon to look forward to was the perfect antidote to any post-World Cup grief for the 85-test veteran.
Carter and Dillon travelled through Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, the Galapagos Islands and the United States on their seven-week trip and he reported back for duty with the Crusaders on March 1.
"I'm fortunate that I travel a lot with rugby, that's one of the perks of the job, but to actually go and see things that I've never seen before was amazing. A lot of people have asked about the highlights and I would have to say Machu Picchu [15th Century Inca ruins in Peru]. You just stand there thinking 'how did they build that?'.''
He also trained while overseas, blending into the background in his tracksuit and trainers and often hitting the gym and roads twice a day during his rehabilitation.
"It was quite bizarre at times. I had a few funny trainings, like going down the road in Rio with a Zumba [dance] crew coming the other way. I got a few strange looks.''
His return to the Crusaders is the first step on a journey which will see him, fitness permitting, play for the All Blacks against Ireland in three tests in June, the Rugby Championship (former Tri Nations) which starts in August, and the end of year tour to the United Kingdom which is back after a year's break.
Having signed a four-year deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union last year, it's a routine he is happy with, and Carter said he had no thoughts about taking another sabbatical to mirror his time at Perpignon.
"I signed that four-year deal to get some stability and there is no better place to test yourself and play than in New Zealand. I do get some flexibility in terms of a sabbatical clause but I'll just be taking it year by year.''
Perhaps encouragingly for fans of the Crusaders and All Blacks, he hasn't kept up his French lessons that he undertook in Christchurch on his return from the south of France in 2009.
"I think I only did that because it was a good excuse to drink red wine and eat good chocolate.''
