Like all great wingers, Daisuke Ohata always looks ahead - and in this case, to the future when he can get back to what he does best: scoring tries.
Unfortunately for Japan, the fleet-footed Ohata won't quite be able to pull that off when the inaugural HSBC Asian Five Nations kicks off in April.
Ohata, the world record holder of tries scored in test rugby - 69 - is still recovering from the injury which saw him cruelly miss out on playing at last year's World Cup in France. He is still sidelined and hasn't touched a rugby ball competitively for Japan since playing in the Asian World Cup qualifiers, which were held in Hong Kong in November 2006.
'These past few months have been really frustrating for me,' says Ohata. 'I came back from injury to my right leg just before the World Cup but then injured my left leg in a practice game against Portugal. It ruled me out of the World Cup and I was bitterly disappointed.'
Ohata ruptured his right Achilles tendon in January 2007 but recovered and was called up by new Japan coach, former All Black winger John Kirwan, in August for a practice game against World Cup-bound Portugal. Fate handed Ohata a cruel deal, when he limped off the field after ripping his left Achilles tendon.
At 32, Ohata is now left dreaming for the moment when he can get back on the field. A two-time World Cup representative, in 1999 and 2003, he is aware time is running out on an illustrious career.