Johnny Fa'auli is a shy, respectful young man, but on the park the Steelers midfielder has already shown that reputations do not overawe him.
His stinging and perfectly timed hit on Magpies opposite Andrew Horrell last Friday in Pukekohe was a striking example of that. Now he will get toshow his wares against the strong Taranaki midfield pair of Charlie Ngatai and Seta Tamanivalu.
Funnily enough, Fa'auli was a big admirer of the latter when he started at St Kentigern College and Tamanivalu had ended his time at Auckland's top First XV.
He doesn't turn 20 until next week, but Fa'auli is relishing his stint as a loan player from Canterbury. There was no call back from his contracted union as Ryan Crotty did not make the All Blacks' cut. So instead Fa'auli is doing the right things in the Steelers' No 12 jersey, vying for time with Cardiff Vaega and Sam Vaka after the departures of Rey Lee-Lo and Bundee Aki left the union short in Nos 12-13.
Steelers coach Tana Umaga worked with Fa'auli briefly with the New Zealand Under 20s in May before he played the world tournament with Samoa.
"He has all the attributes of a good No 12, but he's still learning his trade," said Umaga.
Fa'auli, in turn, is soaking up as much as he can at the Steelers.
"I'm enjoying myself. It's a good bunch of boys and I feel comfortable around them and under Tana's leadership, the legend himself," he said. "He won't be here next year, so I'm quite keen to use him [now]."
Counties Manukau will have to pick up their game against Taranaki, after a promising opening 30 minutes was negated by some dusty passing and work in contact in their 35-11 defeat to Hawkes Bay.
ITM Cup Premiership
Taranaki v Counties Manukau Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, 7.35pm tomorrow
