Fetu'u Vainikolo does not yet have the profile of his famous namesake, Kiwis league star turned English rugby winger Lesley Vainikolo, but the signs suggest he could be developing into an exciting player.
He has his first Super 14 try, scored after just 4min against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night.
And the glimpses of his balance, pace and power have indicated he has handled the step up from playing provincial rugby with Northland quite comfortably.
‘‘It's been really good. It just feels good to be out there and playing at this level,'' Vainikolo said yesterday.
‘‘It's a lot faster than anything I've played before. And you have to be much more into the game and what is happening because it's a big step up.''
The increased pace and physicality of the Super 14 have not been without their challenges. Vainikolo reported back stiffness early in the year and sat out yesterday's training session at Logan Park with a strapped ankle.
There is genuine excitement about his potential as a player, with some rating him the most exciting Highlanders back in years.
Vainikolo has quickly become one of the most popular members of this Highlanders squad and, on the field, he has delighted the coaches with his willingness to attack the line and unleash his pace when a hole opens.
‘‘They have given us a licence to go out there and attack and show what we can do,'' he said.
‘‘Now we just need to put a few things together and we will be able to come away with a win. We've got good players and a good bunch of guys down here and I think we're doing pretty well.''
Vainikolo was born in Tonga and left the islands when he was 12 to settle in Auckland with his family.
He does not get back to Tonga, where one of his brothers and one of his sisters still live, as often as he would like. And while Auckland is where the rest of his family is based, he is quickly adapting to life in Dunedin.
‘‘It's a bit different down here. It's a bit slow. But I like it and it feels like home now.''
There will naturally be interest in whether Vainikolo enjoys Dunedin so much he seeks a permanent move.
He is off contract with Northland at the end of the year and will then consider his future. He's simply grateful to the Highlanders for giving him a chance.
‘‘I just love playing the game of rugby. I wasn't really thinking about Super 14 contracts but it felt awesome to get one.''
Vainikolo is regularly asked if he is related to Lesley Vainikolo but, as far as he knows, he is not at all.
That doesn't bother the Highlanders, who are quite confident they have uncovered a future star of their own.
