Highlanders' wing Fetu'u Vainikolo has at least one thing in common with fellow Tongan Jonah Lomu - he wants to make the No 11 jersey his own.
Vainikolo had a dynamic debut Super 14 rugby season in 2008 but lost form so badly during an injured-plagued last season that he was fortunate to be re-selected for this year's campaign.
And his form had been ordinary until last week against the Chiefs when he scored one try and almost got another after a tackle-breaking run of 70 metres.
He looms as a key figure when the Highlanders seek their third win of the season against the Force in Queenstown on Saturday.
"I want to make that No 11 jersey my own," he said. "I want to be one of the first names read out. I want to start every game and improve on the little things."
Vainikolo, 25, said the reason for his improved form was simple - he was enjoying rugby again and he was regaining his confidence.
"I'm 100 percent fitter than last year and I'm enjoying training and playing again. I'm stoked. I was pretty happy with last week. It's just great to be out there running for the 80 minutes."
What Vainikolo was not happy about was the 27-21 loss.
"We were gutted. We were looking forward to a win but it didn't happen. It was disappointing - it sucked."
Vainikolo believes that taking too much notice of people's expectations was another reason for his form slump.
"A lot of people around me expected much from me and I tried to live up to it. But you can't worry too much about it. You've got to enjoy your rugby and not worry what other people say about you.
"I'm just going out to enjoy my rugby now. If you worry about what other people say, it's going to cut you down."
Vainikolo's problems began last year when he injured his hamstring in pre-season training.
"It didn't go away. I didn't look after it very well. The lesson I learnt was to make sure it's right before you start playing again. I came back too soon and made it even worse."
Things did not improve when he injured his left knee early in the Otago campaign.
"It hampered me a lot and I didn't really look after that very well, either. It's really important to be 100 percent before you start playing again."
Vanikolo is looking forward to the game against the Force to build on the form he displayed in Hamilton.
"We need to win this game. It would make us feel a lot better going into the bye. I'm getting my pace back now but I can be faster, I can be better. I've been working on taking the high ball and on my one-on-one tackling and I'm getting back to where I was."
Vainikolo forms a potentially explosive back three with Israel Dagg and Ben Smith and, if the Highlanders can finally achieve some continuity in their game, the trio could be lethal against the Perth-based side.
