Agustin Creevy has been at the forefront of Argentine rugby for the best part of a decade. After leading the Pumas into their Rugby Championship dawn and reprising that role for the Jaguares in Super Rugby, the veteran hooker has been the rock at the heart of Argentina's solidification at world rugby's top table.
At 34 years of age, you could forgive Creevy for entertaining pastures anew or even retirement once this year's Rugby World Cup is won and run. But he instead plans to stay on with both the Jaguares and Pumas, ensuring that the last nine years of graft don't suddenly fade into nothing.
The first order of business is icing the Jaguares' stellar Super Rugby season -- which continues against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday -- by sealing top spot in the South African conference. That would mean a home quarterfinal in Buenos Aires and, potentially, a semi the following week.
In 2016 and '17, however, things weren't anywhere near as rosy.
"We grew a lot since we started playing in this tournament," Creevy told ESPN through the help of a translator. "At the beginning it was all new, we learnt, made mistakes and we improve since that. Today we have a lot of experience that is helping us to move better and better through this tournament. Year after year we have evolved and we want to continue on this path.
"We have learned from every mistake and also from every success. Everything was added up to be able to improve and to be clear about how to improve on how to play games, plan tours, etc. We gain confidence and today we feel confident to play at the same level as our rivals."
While the 'C' no longer sits beside his name on the teamsheet, Creevy remains one of the Jaguares' key leadership figures.
"Rugby is a team sport and Jaguares is a special team, we are friends and we have been together for a long time," Creevy said. "I was captain of this team and I enjoyed it a lot. Today I have to support Jeronimo de la Fuente who is the captain and I am very happy with that.
"The same happens with Pablo Matera who was the captain last year and also contributes from his place. We are a group and all the seniors and leaders work together for the team."
There are currently a host of top Argentine players plying their trade in Europe, eight of whom Pumas coach Mario Ledesma last week included in a 46-man World Cup train-on squad.
Creevy could have been among them, likely earning a higher salary than what he does with the Jaguares. But having played with European clubs Biarritz, Clermont, Montpellier and Worcester, the opportunity to finish a journey that began in 2009 inspired something more in the 81-Test hooker than any inflated-overseas offer ever could.
"I had offers to go to Europe and I am very grateful to the clubs that were interested in me," Creevy told ESPN. "But for various reasons, at this point in my career, I think the best thing for me is to stay in Argentina.
"I am seduced by the possibility of continuing with Jaguares a few more years and continue contributing to Argentinian rugby, and, if I have the chance to be called, finish my era with Los Pumas. Argentina is my jersey, my motivation, my passion and one of the things that has given me the most satisfaction and keeps giving me. In Argentina is where I want to be."
While they have added a South American flavour to Super Rugby, and brought a new legion of supporters to the competition when it needs it most, the Jaguares aren't everyone's cup of tea.
Fox Sports commentator and former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns declared the Jaguares had "made a mockery of the competition...they're just preparing for the World Cup," after last week's win over the Waratahs in Sydney.
Kearns would do well to have a yarn with Creevy. The chance to play professionally on home soil at both Test and provincial level should not be taken for granted.
"It is very important for me to represent my country playing with Los Pumas and with Jaguares in this tournament [Super Rugby]," Creevy said. "I had my experience in Europe and I enjoyed it but I chose to return to the country because I feel very proud to play here. I was part of this project that started in 2009 with Pampas XV and I want to continue accompanying from within.
"Although I had offers from several clubs to go abroad over these three years, which I thank you for having honoured me with your choice, I made a deep personal analysis, which contained different aspects and as a conclusion I chose to continue here in my country."
The Jaguares will start favourites for Saturday night's clash with the Reds, a team they suffered a shock loss to in Buenos Aires in 2018. But the South Americans are in much better for this time around, having won six of their past seven and two out of three on tour in Australasia.
"We have to focus on our game and our virtues," Creevy said of Saturday's game. "We have to stay alert - they are a creative team and that could be very dangerous if we are distracted. We already played twice against them so we know what they can do."
A victory over the Reds, and a Sharks' loss to the Hurricanes, would all but secure the Jaguares top spot in South Africa, particularly given they face the bottom-placed Sunwolves at home in the final round.
A decade of rugby across the globe has taught Creevy not to look that far ahead, though.
"By now we have to continue in our path, improving and trying to continue giving the best," he said. "First thinking about Reds, then Sharks and so on. We want to reach the top but without looking further than the next match. We are happy and satisfied because we are in a place that we won and for which we work and train a lot."
Later this year, a challenging World Cup pool that features both England and France awaits. Creevy won't dare entertain any thought of that just yet, save for one reality that fills him with pride wherever he goes.
"It is very important for all of us to have the support of our fans," he said. "In Argentina we enjoy playing with our families and friends in the stadium and, when we travel, we are very happy to have Argentines supporting us in the matches. We thank them very much for their support."