For Lima Sopoaga, it is very much the difference between this year and last.
The Highlanders first five-eighth has been a changed man this season - knocking over goals from all over the place, running the cutter with aplomb and sparking a Highlanders team still in playoff contention.
Ever the team man, Sopoaga (23) credits his improved performance to those around him, and the coaching team.
''I have come along nicely. Before the season I was sitting there pretty nervous about how things were going to go. But luckily I have got a pretty good team around me,'' he said.
''The forwards have done their job. Then I've got Aaron Smith inside me. He provides a lot of chat and ... has been there. The coaches have made it really simple. It is more of a team collective than anything.
''You get one good game under your belt and you start believing in yourself more. For me it is about staying on the park, staying injury-free, and that is what helps my confidence.''
He first joined the Highlanders in 2011 but had three injury-riddled years. He was frustrated with the injuries but knew there was little he could do about them.
His goal kicking success rate this season sits above 85% and said that, too, was down to the mind.
''I've worked a bit on my technique. Just making sure I'm doing the same routine. It is just confidence. Once you start banging them over you are not afraid to take a shot from out wide. That is all it is. In your head and making sure you are sticking to the same routine and letting the ball fly.
''When I was not goal kicking so well I was more worried about, 'I hope this goes over', while now I just take care of the process and whatever happens, it happens. Tony [assistant coach Tony Brown] has been helping me a lot and JP [skills coach Jon Preston] has been really good for my game this year.''
The Highlanders are right in the mix with three games left, and Sopoaga will have a big role to play.
Playing the Chiefs tomorrow night will be a special occasion. Sopoaga's father is coming down from Wellington to watch him play under the roof for the first time.
Sopoaga has signed for Southland for the ITM Cup and will head south at the end of the Highlanders season.
''It was a pretty tough decision to leave Wellington. My family is all from there and I've got a lot of good mates up there. I grew up there. But that is professional footy, isn't it?
''I did not have a contract to go back to in Wellington. I'm looking forward to going to Southland. They're a good group of guys.''
Sopoaga visited his younger brother, Tupou, in Sydney during the break this month. Tupou Sopoaga plays league for the Cronulla Sharks, who are doing it tough in the NRL.
''All that mocking and hard time he gave me last year is coming back to bite him. He is having a tough time. They can't even buy a win.
''I told him to go out there and let go of all your fear of losing. Just have fun. Once you start having a bit more fun, throwing the pill around, and not thinking about the result, maybe you will get one.''
