Tony Ensor is keen for a second start.
In 2012, Ensor burst on to the scene, dazzling with his speed and dash and helping Otago make it all the way to the championship final.
He was called into the Highlanders wider training squad the next year and another big season loomed.
But it never happened.
For the past couple of years, Ensor (24) has been out of the game with injuries. First, it was a shoulder injury in 2013. Then, a damaged ACL ligament in his knee put a major bump in the road last season.
This year, though, Ensor is injury-free and looking to get back to his 2012 form.''
I have been here for four years now. So I've got to start chipping away now. I've just got to keep doing what I am doing and see where that takes me,'' he said.''
I've learnt a lot more from rehabbing continuously. Just before you hit the gym and training ... getting over little niggles and that. Lots of stretching. You have got to keep doing it.''
Thinking back to 2012, Ensor said just backing himself helped get him playing well.''
In 2012, I played consistently well in club footy. When you play consistently well, your confidence stays there and helps you through anything you do. You make decisions like you want to run, so you run. You don't hesitate. You just do it.''
Injuries were frustrating, he admitted and he had has his fair dose of them.
At the start of the year, he decided to keep things simple and just concentrate on playing well for his club.''
I just wanted to play some consistent club footy and that helped me.''
Ensor performed well for his Kaikorai club this season, even handling the goalkicking at times, although Kaikorai missed out on the top four.
His speed was seen as an asset by national sevens coach Gordon Tietjens. He has a contract with the national side and played in the Gold Coast tournament late last year.
He has not been picked for the national side since but says his contract has the flexibility for him to still play 15-man rugby, the game he prefers.
A goal is to return to Super rugby - he played one game for the Highlanders in their disappointing 2013 season - but for now, the focus was on Otago.
Ensor is partway through a physical education degree and hopes to have it finished by the end of next year.
Otago v Canterbury
FB Stadium, today, 4.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Matt Faddes, Jayden Spence, Tei Walden, Jack Wilson, Fletcher Smith, Kaide Whiting, Mika Mafi, James Lentjes, Adam Knight, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman (captain), Craig Millar. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Donald Brighouse, Scott Manson, Charlie O'Connell, Ratu Dawai, Josh Walden, Peter Breen, Michael Collins.
Canterbury: Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl, Jack Goodhue, Rob Thompson, Patrick Osborne, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Luke Whitelock (captain), Matt Todd, Reed Prinsep, Dominic Bird, JJ Manning, Siate Tokolahi, Ben Funnell, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Nick Werahiko, Alex Hosgman, Sione Faletau, Tom Sanders, Mitchell Dunshea, Jack Stratton, Milford Keresoma, Marshall Suckling.
Referee: Michael Lash (Tasman).
What Otago needs to do
After finishing 13th last year and winning just three games, Otago needs to play smarter this season. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at where Otago has to improve this season.
Spark it up
One does not want to hark back to last year but Otago came to the gun fight with the power of the Andorran military. They just had no weapons on attack. This year, players have to find that little bit more on attack and look to create something from very little. The likes of Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes and Tony Ensor need to be sharp with the ball in hand.
Cut it out
This is a considerable level down from Super rugby so there will be mistakes made. But to be effective, Otago has to cut out the errors. Get rid of the knock-ons, missed touches and sloppy passes. Accuracy at this level wins matches.
Make it count
Some of the Otago players just ran out of steam and lacked the nous and physical presence to win games last year. The players have to make the step up and get physical. The likes of new loose forwards Adam Knight and Mika Mafi have to bash a few bodies.
Get on the board early
Otago has a tough draw. Its first six games are against the top four premiership teams from last year and the two favourites for the championship final. So if it can pick up a couple of wins from these games, it should make hay later in the season.
Three key players
• Liam Coltman
After a super Highlanders season, Coltman has been handed the captain's arm band. Will be a follow-me leader and others must get in behind and play to the abrasive level Coltman does.
• Mika Mafi
If Otago is to make an impact this year, it needs a dominant No 8. Mafi played well for Southern, adding offloads into his play. Can do it at the next level?
• Matt Faddes
Has been floating around for a fair while now. Was easily the most penetrative back in club rugby this season. Shunting him out to the wing not really his game. Would welcome a crack at centre.
Three questions
• Will anyone come from left field and do enough to get into the Highlanders?
• What is going to happen if openside flanker James Lentjes gets injured?
• We hear such great things about the Otago Boys' High School First XV. Can one of their former players really - as in, really - make an impact?
