Josh McKay has done plenty of waiting and watching but cashed the cheque in Brisbane on Saturday night.
McKay made his Highlanders debut at fullback on Saturday night in the side's close 18-15 win over the Reds.
McKay (20) has been cooling his heels so far this season with the talent in front of him.
But it was exactly what the Christchurch Boys' High School product expected.
``For me coming in I knew it was going to be tough with the calibre of players here. I was pretty level headed about it. If I got a crack I just had to take it with two hands,'' he said.
``It has taken a while but that is what is to be expected ... there is no complaints from my end.
``I have learnt a lot. We have been together since December and it has been a long time and there has been a lot of hours put out on the training paddock to pick up things.''
McKay has played a bit of club rugby for Dunedin but swapped the sand of Kettle Park for the bright lights of Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
``I was really happy with how it went. It was good to finally get out on the park. It has been about three months into the season and it was great to get out there for the first time and put my best foot forward.
``The speed of it - I knew it was going to be quick - you do not get that at the club level. It was a step up and about having a bit of a crack.
``On game day I was nervous. When we went out earlier in the day it started raining and the ball was slippery. But the weather cleared up and it was a nice night. I suppose you just focus on the things you know, and do not let it get the better of you.
``You just sink to the level of training and all the things you have done and just back it.''
McKay said the whole season has been one of getting to grow his game. Sitting behind Ben Smith he could not have a better teacher.
``Obviously I just keep putting my head down, keep working. Ben is a great man to be behind. He has taught me a lot this season, and I've taken the learnings off him.
``Waisake [Naholo] and Tevita [Li] are great outside men and helped me through the game in the weekend.''
McKay, who can also play first five-eighth but prefers fullback, has an impressive pedigree.
He played for the national schools side in 2015 and turned out for New Zealand Colts last year.
McKay is studying a marketing paper at the University of Otago in his down time from rugby.
He is on a one year deal with the Highlanders and negotiations are continuing over whether he will return to the southern franchise next year.