In fact, the new Highlanders hooker hated his first taste of the front row when he was encouraged to play there in his final year at Mt Albert Grammar School.
Vikena, who was born in Fiji but moved to Auckland at a young age, was initially a midfield back at school but was switched to the blindside flank, then the front row, by revered Mt Albert coach Geoff Moon.
It followed the remarkably prescient decision of the late Moon to convert another player, a lad by the name of Keven Mealamu, when he coached at Aorere College.
"Geoff played a big part in my career and did the same thing to Kevvy, so I kind of trusted him," Vikena said yesterday.
"I feel blessed for him making that choice for me. I hated it at first. It’s a tough position to play. But I’ve done pretty well coming through the age groups.
"Throwing, scrummaging, the whole journey of it ... it hasn’t been easy. A lot of time and effort."
That effort has paid off.
Vikena, 24, has played 36 NPC games for Auckland and made 25 appearances for the Blues over four years before deciding to throw his lot in with the Highlanders to seek more starting opportunities.
"I’d been at the Blues for four or five years, so it was a tough choice.
"But at the end of the day, it was what was best for me, to get the opportunity to come down and work hard for the No 2 jersey at the Highlanders.
"I didn’t want anything handed to me. I told Jamie [Joseph] I’d come down here and work and just put my foot forward."
Joseph had been an "unreal" influence already, Vikena said.
He was similar to Blues coach Vern Cotter.
"Very old school, straight to the point — that’s what I love as a player."
Vikena has his partner and daughter with him in Dunedin, and was delighted his parents could be down at the weekend to see his new team upset his old team.
He also has a bunch of new brothers at the Highlanders.
Chief among them is co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, who has been in spectacular form and isan inspiring figure for the young Pasifika players in the squad.
"He’s been unreal to the boys, the way he presents himself on and off the field.
"Us Fijians, we look up to him and go to him if we need help with anything.
"We joke quite a lot with the Fijian boys. There are quite a lot in the team, and there are 14 Island boys as well, which is a good mix. I’m really enjoying it."
Vikena confirmed the Fijian players tended to gather on a Tuesday night for a kava session.
"Just to relax the mind a bit," he smiled.
Fijian rugby has been in touch about his eligibility, but Vikena remains focused on the Highlanders for now with a view to challenging for All Blacks selection.
