New Zealand halfback Andy Ellis is still hurting from the Crusaders' Super Rugby final defeat as he switches his attention to the start of an international season that will culminate in the Rugby World Cup.

The Crusaders couldn't quite give their earthquake-battered supporters a fairytale ending to a nomadic campaign, going down to the Queensland Reds 13-18 in Brisbane last Saturday night.

Ellis hinted at some lingering pain from the result but for him and 11 other Crusaders, the result was cushioned by being named the following day in a 30-strong All Blacks' squad for the Tri-Nations.

"We wanted to make everyone proud in Christchurch but it wasn't to be," he said.

"Touching down on Sunday and hearing a few boys' names being read out was a nice silver lining.

"That sort of helps to deal with the loss."

The squad began a two-day camp in Auckland on Thursday ahead of a one-off Test against Fiji in Dunedin next week.

Ellis, 27, is one three halfbacks selected, along with Highlander Jimmy Cowan and Hurricane Piri Weepu.

He wasn't sure where he stood in the pecking order, but knew that the battle for the No.9 jersey would be competitive.

"Jim and Piri have both got a lot of experience," said Ellis, whose 18 caps compares with the 44 accumulated by both Cowan and Weepu.

"It's up to me to stake my claim and try to impress."

Apart from the mental anguish of losing the final, Ellis also had to battle physical pain during the Super Rugby season.

A broken thumb sidelined him for five matches and he then shrugged off a shoulder and a knee injury suffered in the semi-final against the Stormers to start against the Reds.

He said he was still feeling a little sore but was on the mend.

"Being here and in this environment helps you get a bit excited again, knowing what a special year this one is and what's coming up," he said.

"The body will take care of itself and it should be right for next week."

Forfellow Crusader Zac Guildford, resetting his sights will not be difficult as he makes his return to the Test arena.

The four-Test winger missed the All Blacks' end-of-year tour last year and was instead sent to the nation's sevens side to work on his speed and evasive skills before ending up with a Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Guildford, 22, said being in the abbreviated form of the game gave him a new focus and helped to lift his confidence.

"There's only seven people on both teams so it gives you a lot more space and opportunity to run the ball and I think it built my confidence a wee bit," he said.

"When I got the ball at the back, I wasn't so unsure what to do. I just ran hard and tried to find space and it made it a lot easier."

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