Highlanders openside flanker James Lentjes said his opportunity to get a start was just how rugby went sometimes.
``It is just the way it happens in this position. One minute you can have three all fit and then you can be a couple down or we can all go down. Touch wood, I won't, but it is just the way it is at the moment,'' Lentjes said.
His rivals for the Highlanders No7 jersey are both on the sick list.
Dan Pryor is recovering from a knee operation while Shane Christie has an illness which has the Highlanders medical staff puzzled. Lentjes though is making hay while the sun shines.
``I know Dan is back in about a month ... I get the first lick of the cherry so, hopefully, I'll get a few more opportunities and go from there.''
He was not approaching the first match any differently than usual, having been given the chance virtually be default.
``If you think about it too much it will take away what you are trying to do for the team. You just concentrate on your job and the rest will take care of itself.
``I'll just play my normal game. I've had a good pre-season and you just have to take some confidence into these games.''
He feels fitter after a good pre-season and has done things a little different in his preparation, working on things such as his footwork and different weights.
Lentjes (26) had an outstanding season for Otago last year as it made it all the way to the Mitre 10 Cup Championship final.
The Taieri man said he was glad to see the back of the trial laws which turned the breakdown into a mess with fly kicks and players not sure where they stood.
``It just took away the contest from the breakdown and made it a bit messy, people just trying to come through and kick it. I just don't think that is a good watch.
``For a player like me who wants to get my hands on the ball at the breakdown it wasn't much fun.
``They have told us they are going to be hard this year on not supporting your body weight and not releasing the player if you are arriving.
``If you are assisting in the tackle, you have got to give them some clear space before you go in again.''
He said players just had to be smarter and quicker around the breakdown.
Into his third season with the franchise, Lentjes said the new coaching set-up was not much of a change from when Jamie Joseph was in charge.
Whom he marks on Friday night is unclear with All Black and Chiefs flanker Sam Cane still battling an ankle injury he picked up last season meaning his availability is up in the air.
Lentjes, for one, cannot wait to start.
``We have done a good eight to nine weeks of pre-season. I think everyone is pretty keen to get into the playing weeks and get out on the field and show what all the hard work is for.''
