Connor Hohepa loves nothing better than to be the centre of attention - well, on the league paddock anyway.
The 18-year-old made his debut for the Pikiao Warriors premier team last year playing fullback. This season the talented youngster is making his mark at centre for the Mourea-based team and to devastating affect.
Hohepa was pure class in his side's 74-4 win over Forestland Falcons at the weekend, scoring twice as well as making several piercing runs down the right hand flank for Pikiao.
The move into the midfield had been an unexpected one for Hohepa.
"I wasn't really wanting to pay centre. I was wanting to play fullback, following up from last year and carry that on through but we had no other centre so I just [went] for it and pushed in there. I'm just doing my job and it's all good."
Hohepa is enjoying the positional change especially working alongside senior players like Te Kaiaotea "Bully" Tahuriorangi and Pirikawana "Papa" Taiatini.
"I've got all the ball out my way, especially playing alongside Bully and Papa on my insides so it's a good opportunity."
The move has meant Hohepa has had to change his style of play to match the more in-your-face defence he encounters at centre as opposed to the run-it-back from the back he found at fullback.
"I like that because I get to run [into] holes instead of trying to push people into those holes."
Although Hohepa is still relatively new to the premier division, the youngster is keen to push his career in league to the next level.
"That's one of my first goals and priorities is to push and make [the rep side] but right now my priority is playing for Pikiao."
Hohepa's move has also impressed his coach Doug Unuwai.
"Connor, he's adaptable to anything, you know he's come through the age groups with me, no matter what position I put him in, he will adapt to that position straight away.
"A lot of people say he's a fullback, I've known him to play good at centre and the halves. He is just one of those kids who can adapt to any position that he wants."
Unuwai said it was only a matter of time before the youngster was picked up by the Waicoa Bay Stallions.
"Myself, I think he is ready for it. It's just a matter of what he wants to do with himself. You know he might have other things that he wants to do. He might be just comfortable playing club football.
"But I've always stressed to [the team], you need to make the next step to see the level of football you're really at. Have a go at it and if it's not working for you can always step back."