Christian Lio-Willie says he was not expecting the All Blacks call-up that came his way last weekend, but cancelling his Super Rugby preseason training plans to instead fly to Europe for the Nations Championship is the kind of “curveball” you want.

The Crusaders No.8 produced another workhorse season for his club in 2026 and carried that work rate into the NPC, but despite a healthy season in which he started every game for both teams, the Test arena remained out of reach.

A call from All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie to let him know he’d missed selection for the Greatest Rivalry tour seemed to signal he was further down the pecking order under Rennie than under his former Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, given the expanded squad taken to South Africa.

“He called me early in the year about me missing out on South Africa, and I appreciated that a lot because he was really honest about where I was at and why I missed out. I took that on, and just front-footed the target, and enjoyed my time, man, and it just brought out the best in me by leading those boys,” he said just before boarding his flight to London.

The 28-year-old’s form for Otago, however, coupled with a string of injuries in the All Blacks’ loose forwards, has helped him return to the fore.

The three-Test flanker, who made his debut in the first All Blacks match of 2025 against France and wasn’t seen in black beyond that series, said it “came as a bit of a shock” to get the nod for the November Tests.

“I’ve just been enjoying where my feet are, especially with Otago during the NPC season, and watching the boys play in Africa and stuff. I love being amongst those (Otago) boys and enjoying every single game and every single training. And I guess the fruits of that now is being able to be called on again to be in the (All Blacks) squad, and that’s why I’m extremely grateful.”

While there are three All Blacks loose forwards – Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson – unavailable for the Nations Championship due to injury, Lio-Willie has been selected ahead of Semisi Ta’eiloa, who was included in the Greatest Rivalry squad. And as the flanker told reporters in Auckland, there was one more reason to celebrate the selection.

“I think the last time I was in as an injury replacement, and I’ve been in the environment previously as a replacement, and to be named officially for the first time, very special, man.

“To be honest, when I was in NPC, I wasn’t really playing to get back in or didn’t have that at the front of mind. My front of mind was to win the championship with Otago and those boys, and I guess now that I’ve been noticed, it’s a special way to get back in as well.

“Everything’s a bonus, man, and it’s a blessing in my eyes. I was actually preparing for the off-season and what was ahead, got the call, and I guess I’m here now. So I’m definitely going to put everything into it.”