But 12 months on, he is scoring tries for the Highlanders - two on Saturday night - making runs and tackles, and filling the shoes of All Black Waisake Naholo.
Faddes (24) said the thought of how far he had come in a year did cross his mind on Saturday night as the Highlanders defeated the Lions 34-15.
"I was thinking that out there. I was preparing for club footy a year ago. You have to take it as it comes. I think I was a bit too relaxed, waiting for things to happen,'' Faddes said.
"So I thought I would have a crack, have a go, back what the coaches do and say. If it does not pay off, it doesn't pay off. But a few 50-50s go your way and it happens.''
It certainly has for the South Otago product, who bounced back from an early mistake in Saturday night's match.
Faddes dropped the ball with the line just 5m away and only one defender in front of him.
He bounced back though to get on the end of a Lima Sopoaga grubber kick to score the only try in the first half.
He scored his second try five minutes into the second half when he intercepted a stray Lions pass and sprinted 60m away from the defence.
"It probably should have been three [with what happened] at the start, really. But it was good to get back in the game.
"You just have to flush it as soon as it happens. You are going to make mistakes. But you've got to pull the trigger and get on with it.''
Faddes said Super rugby was a clear step up from provincial rugby and one he was enjoying.
"Every tackle is a big tackle. Every run you've got to put the hammer down. And you have to execute the skills at speed. There are no dud players here.
"It is the dream, really. We used to go along to the Brook when we were young, used to sit in the Neville St stand, the family stand. Everyone thinks when they are young they can play for them.''
The second Faddes try stretched the lead to 24-3 and the game was effectively over as the Lions showed signs of three weeks on the road.
Ben Smith had earlier scored a fine try two minutes into the second half, after a great interchange of passing with halfback Aaron Smith.
Centre Malakai Fekitoa scored a try after 55 minutes following a turnover picked up by lock Alex Ainley and a nice run by loose forward Gareth Evans.
A Sopoaga dropped goal on the hour mark gave the side a 34-3 lead and the match as a contest was over.
Sopoaga had a good match for the Highlanders, while Fekitoa continues his strong early-season form.
Up front, loose forward Dan Pryor was all over the paddock and Ainey was as solid as ever.
The set piece was exceptional against a big Lions pack, the Highlanders front row dominating its opponent for the first 60 minutes.
Highlanders v Lions
The scores
Highlanders 34
Matt Faddes 2, Malakai Fekitoa, Ben Smith tries; Lima Sopoaga 4 con, pen, d-goal
Lions 15
Ruan Ackermann, Rohan Janse van Rensburg tries; Elton Jantjies con pen
Halftime: 10-3 Highlanders
Crowd: 16,200
