Canales is coming to terms with his new role after coming off the bench much earlier in the first half than he anticipated after Milne hobbled off in the 3-0 victory over Southern United last Sunday in Napier.
"It's very tough to mark in the back," says the 24-year-old who arrived here in September to find, after Angell's perusal, that he was earmarked as a backbencher for the defence portfolio.
"It's a pretty strange thing. I probably would have [gone home if it was in Chile]," he says with a laugh.
In many respects, Canales' path almost mirrors that of TSB Napier City Rovers captain/centreback Danny Wilson, who also is in the Bay United squad following a season in hiatus after he became a father for the first time last summer.
Former Bay premiership striker Wilson came off the bench in the second half last Sunday.
The South American's christening in the position came somewhat unannounced last Sunday.
"I didn't expect to get in that early off the bench so I had to turn on the switch very quickly," says Canales, proud they kept a clean sheet against Southern United.
His first test was during a pre-season friendly against Auckland City where he had to keep Emiliano Tade on a leash but, thankfully, not Micah Lea'alafa and Ryan de Vries who didn't play.
"I've played on top as a striker all my life and know what they [strikers] are thinking so that's a plus."
Conversely, he sees immense benefits in what defenders' mindset is for someone who will become viable on both ends of the park should Angell or any other coach require that.
The boy who started "getting bigger and bigger" not long after leaving school has scored countless goals for his club, Old Boys Chile.
"One of my characteristics is to score many goals but now I want to get knowledge on how to play there [defence]," he says, grateful to be able to fleece off Milne during training.
His father, Julio, who runs the family insurance company in Santiago, arrived here last Friday and watched him play against Southern. He will watch him again tonight in Taupo before jetting back home.
Canales, who flats in Napier with teammates Jade Mesias and Cheauxyn Maukau McPhee, contacted Angell after surfing the internet for overseas leagues to build his career.
"I just wanted to go out of my country for a good experience," he says, finding the premiership was one of very few league still open to recruiting players around the world this time of the year.
Canales, who plied his trade for the American University team in Washington in 2010, contacted South American player Federico Marquez who gave him the thumbs-up on the premiership here.
"I think the league level is getting better here with TV as a big plus.
"Getting more people watching the league in a rugby country [will mean] more people will hopefully follow football as it becomes popular."
Tonight's game is a "six-point" one for Bay United and a win will put them in a good position with fellow undefeated teams Auckland City and the Canterbury United Dragons.
He finds Angell's style of full-press play up and down the park different from Chile where they move the ball around with pace but when one spies an opening he has the licence "to go for it".
Nevertheless, he's relishing the change here and that doesn't deter from his desire to be the best player on the park in every game.
While Napier is a small town compared with the hustle and bustle of Santiago, the Bay serenity and security appeals to him.
"In Santiago there is lots to do so it can get a bit boring here but, on the other hand, in Chile it's not that safe," says Canales.
