That is the case for Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga.
Sopoaga (27) is off to the Wasps club in England at the end of the season and will be lost to New Zealand rugby and the Highlanders.
He said from Queensland yesterday that with his time in the Highlanders jersey coming to an end he realised how much the franchise meant to him and he wanted to enjoy it right to the end.
''I just want to have as much fun as I can with the Highlanders. This is a special team for me. We have so many great memories here and I just want to enjoy it one more time,'' he said.
Sopoaga's signing with Wasps meant he was ruled out for the All Blacks this season but it is not something he is losing any sleep over.
''I already knew when I signed for Wasps I had ended my All Black career there and then.
I'm at peace with that decision and my reason for leaving. When I signed my contract I knew I had played my last test in the black jersey, which was in Wales last year.''
He admitted leaving and heading north had changed his attitude when playing this season and also about being around the Highlanders set-up every day.
''I think my mindset has switched a bit. I'm still keen to work hard but I really appreciate the time I have here now more than I did in years gone by. In those years I was always coming back the next year but now I am not coming back I appreciate it a bit more.
''I come to work every day and you get on to go on the trips, like on the Gold Coast here, and it is pretty special and I am just really enjoying it.''
Sopoaga will finish his All Black career having played in 16 tests, 14 of from the reserves bench.
Sopoaga had no preference for who should fill the role behind first choice first five-eighth Beauden Barrett.
Both Richie Mo'unga and Damian McKenzie were fine players, he said.
There was also plenty of new talent coming through in the form of Otere Black and Stephen Perofeta while the Highlanders also had a couple of promising young first five-eighths in Josh Ioane and Fletcher Smith.