Faddes (25) helped himself to two tries in the Highlanders' 40-15 win over the Sunwolves on Saturday night in Invercargill after the side led 21-3 at halftime.
Faddes ran hard and straight for the Highlanders, made his tackles and scored his two tries within 10 minutes of each other.
One came from a nice angle off an Aaron Smith pass early in the second half while the other was an intercept which he bobbled and then caught, skipping away for 60m to go under the bar.
''I have been hanging out to get a crack at 13 [centre] ... you just get more involved and you get the opportunity to come into first receiver sometimes. You have to make the defence read more often, whether to come in or not, and it gets the mind ticking over,'' Faddes said.
Faddes said he was hunting intercepts right from the start as it was part of the side's plan with the Sunwolves' attack playing right to the advantage line.
He said competition for places was intense and there was no room for complacency.
''Even if you had played a few games beforehand there are always people sitting outside the 23 who want that jersey, who are training hard, playing hard. You've just got to play your best game, every game.''
In his second year with the side, Faddes said he was getting used to the standard of Super Rugby.
''Probably in the first half dozen games last year my first touch was a stone-cold drop. But that was just nerves and, hopefully, I have overcome that. I wouldn't say it is a comfort thing, you are always going to be on edge. But you are comfortable in the role you've got to do.''
Faddes is one of many midfield options. Richard Buckman missed the game because of an Achilles injury and the likes of Rob Thompson, Sio Tomkinson and Tei Walden are floating around.
The Highlanders scored another four tries in addition to the Faddes brace and were no chance of losing against a Sunwolves side which had plenty of possession.
It was not a complete performance by the Highlanders - they coughed up too much ball, and their discipline was average - but they had too many good players not to win.
Faddes was one of the best, along with midfield partner Malakai Fekitoa, while halfback Aaron Smith continues his climb in form.
Up front, lock Alex Ainley was into everything while loose forwards Luke Whitelock and Dillon Hunt were busy all night.