Samu Kerevi has given the strongest indication yet that he could consider a future overseas after the World Cup.
Kerevi will run out as fulltime Reds captain for the first time at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with Queensland attempting to halt the Crusaders' record-breaking 17-match winning streak.
It will be a special occasion for the 25-year-old, who has risen through the local ranks and treasures the opportunity to represent his state and club.
But off contract at the end of the season, Kerevi said he would have to weigh up his options at the end of the year before deciding whether to stay with the Reds.
"Queensland has always been a special place for me," Kerevi said.
"I've been here since the start of my career and I've always wanted to play for the Reds.
"Looking to the future, you'd love that but we've just got to see where everything lands by the end of the season.
"For me, it's getting to a stage where I've got to plan for the future as well.
"As much as what I want, I've got to look after my family as well.
"My family is really important to me and this is a big family for me as well.
"For now, I'm taking it week by week and I want to perform for Queensland, there's no doubt about that."
Excitement is building around a rebuilding Reds outfit that is showing signs of the potential that lies ahead.
Kerevi insists he is not results driven, something that has been hammered into the team by coach Brad Thorn as he builds the type of culture that has made teams like the Crusaders so successful.
"Obviously everyone wants to be in the finals," Kerevi said.
"There's no doubt about it.
"But to get there, we can't look too far (ahead). We've got to stay in our processes and the detail in our game each week and make each game as important as any other game.
"We're just focussed on this week and getting better today."
Wallaby great Tim Horan hopes Kerevi can be kept in Queensland and believes the Reds' progress this season will be the key.
"I think he would have signed for one year just to see how this year goes for the Reds," Horan said.
"He's definitely going to be there for the Wallabies -- for the next five or six years if he wants to.
"But I think it's the Reds' culture and the Reds' performances -- mainly how the Reds' performances go -- this year that will guide whether he's going to stay or not.
"I know that Samu could be a good leaders at this club for the next three or four years if he wants to."
Kerevi is unlikely to make a decision on his future for months though.
"Right now I'm just focussing on this (game) and I haven't looked into that," he said.
"My manager handles that, that's his job, my job is to perform, so that's what I'm focussed on."
And while the Crusaders present a monumental challenge, Kerevi is looking forward to see whether the Reds are up to the task.
"They're an unbelievable team, they've proven it throughout the years and how consistent they've been winning championships and games," he said.
"But they've got two legs, we've got two legs, they're human, they can make mistakes, we can make mistakes.
"This is about who can handle that pressure in the game and on any day we'll back ourselves to go up against the giants.
"It's an awesome test for us."
The Reds take on the Crusaders on Saturday March 2 at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 6:45pm local, 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
