He was however sufficiently recovered prior to the Auckland-based to be able to do the reconnaissance there - and as the route was quite dramatically overhauled for 2006, he won’t be on the back-foot quite so much for the 2007 edition.
"On paper, missing last year's event clearly doesn't play in our favour,” he conceded. “For us, New Zealand promises to be the most complex of all the events still to come and, compared with those of our rivals who did it in 2006, we lack a little experience.
“Even so, I was very pleased with the notes we took last year and that's better than starting completely from scratch. We have a good base from which to work and that will reduce our handicap," he added.
Asked what his objective will be, he said that with Marcus Gronholm 8 points in front in the race for the 2007 drivers’ championship, he could really do with the maximum points possible.
"The way the Rallye Deutschland unfolded showed yet again that the picture can change very quickly in rallying, so lots can still happen between now and the end of the season,” he explained.
“Including New Zealand, there are still six events to come and there are still plenty of points up for grabs.
“I want to pass back ahead of Marcus, so that basically means we will do what we can to win.
“That said, we cannot afford to come away from Hamilton with a blank scorecard. So, yes, my objective will be to win, but not at all costs."
Daniel Sordo meanwhile has had to retire from the last two events in succession due to engine problems and on both occasions it cost him and the team good points, as he was well up the order.
He will be eager to put that run of bad luck behind him in Hamilton and try and repeat his fifth place finish from 2006.
"I clearly don't have the necessary hindsight to fully appreciate all the niceties of this event," he stated, ahead of his second outing on the Rally NZ. "I don't think it will be easy to match the fastest gravel drivers.
