Being versatile is a mixed blessing if you are a professional rugby player.
Once you get pigeon-holed as a utility player, it usually means your role will be confined to making an impact off the bench and perhaps popping up in completely foreign positions on the odd occasion.
That has been Elliot Dixon's lot.
Last year, the 24-year-old played in all three loose forward positions for the Highlanders and even had a 20min stint on the wing against the Blues.
Despite being shuffled around, he made the most of his opportunities and impressed coach Jamie Joseph with his work at openside flanker.
For his part, Dixon is happy to fill in where needed but he sees himself more as a blindside and would like to make that spot his own.
''But also it is about the team and one through to 15,'' Dixon said.
''I'm happy to help the team by covering 6, 7 or 8 or even covering lock from the bench or starting and then moving to a difference position.''
Before last season, Dixon had made just two appearance for the Highlanders but was called on to play in 13 games and started in five of those. It was breakthrough of sorts but Joseph still sees Dixon's greatest asset in his versatility.
''We did contract him very young and have put some time into his development,'' Joseph said.
''I feel that it is a big year for Elliot. He can play 6 and 8 and he played really well last year at 7, so he is a crucial member of our team because he can play all those positions.''
Dixon is aware he has some work to do if he is going to shake the utility tag.
''This year it is about building on my progress and getting results,'' Dixon said.
''I want to nail a starting spot. That's goal one and second is for the team to do well. And the third goal, I suppose, is just staying in form throughout the whole year - not coming in and out of form which I sometimes did last year.''
With co-captain Nasi Manu injured, Dixon will start at No 8 in the Highlanders' opening pre-season match against the Brumbies in Queenstown this evening.
He is looking forward to putting all the training into practice and competing against a Brumbies loose forward unit which contains outstanding flanker David Pocock.
The contest at the ruck is a key battleground and Pocock, making a comeback after 10 months out with injury, is a master at snaffling the ball.
''It is about getting in front of him and getting him out of the breakdown. You know you have to perform well when he is on the other side and it makes the game a whole lot more special.''
As far as the season goes, the Highlanders are an unknown quantity. There are seven new faces in the starting line-up for the match against the Brumbies and another four on the bench.
The side has been shorn of a lot of talent and the likes of Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu and Tony Woodcock are missing this season.
Without all that star power, Elliot hinted the Highlanders would have to adapt their strategies and game plan to suit the team's new personnel.
But the expectations within the side have not changed. The goal is still to make the playoffs and go from there.
''We want to be one of the last two teams playing ... and we are going to go out week-in and week-out with that attitude.''
Garratt Williamson will referee this evening's game.
Highlanders v Brumbies
Q'town Rec Ground, today, 6pm
Highlanders: Trent Renata, Patrick Osborne, Winston Stanley, Shaun Treeby, Richard Buckman, Hayden Parker, Frae Wilson, Elliot Dixon, Lee Allan, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma'afu Fia, Liam Coltman (captain), Craig Millar.
Brumbies (from): Allan Alaalatoa , Fotu Auelua, Jarrad Butler, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, Lionel Cronje, Michael Dowsett, Matt Hawke, Conrad Hoffman, Rod Iona, Josh Mann-Rea, Pat McCabe, Lachlan McCaffery, David Pocock, Leon Power, Clyde Rathbone, Siliva Siliva, Scott Sio, Andrew Smith, JP Smith, Michael Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Stainiforth, Haru Tetakawa, Jack Whetton, Stephan Van der Walt.