Brighouse is big. Like most props he should be.
But he wants to be smaller. A tad less in bulk. Smaller means quicker round the field, which props have to be these days.
But there is one obstacle - his love of food.
The new Otago prop weighs in about 130kg but wants to get down to 120kg or below.
''That is what I think would be the weight I want to play at. But it is tough. I just love food really. If someone puts a plate in front of me then I'll eat it,'' he said.
''The problem is I eat some food and just think I can run it off the next day. But it is not always like that. Running can't take it all off. I've got to be a bit harder on myself. Just be a bit more disciplined.''
The former New Zealand Colt has been working hard in the gym and on the roads as he aims to improve his fitness as the ITM Cup continues.
Brighouse (21) stands 1.81m and his route into the Otago side, albeit on the bench tonight against Canterbury, was a roundabout one.
He was born in Wellington, then spent a short period as a child in Auckland, before returning to the capital.
He attended St Patrick's College in Wellington and, after flirting with league, went straight into the front row where he stayed.
He trialled for the New Zealand Colts in 2012, just missing out but he managed to make the team the following year, travelling to France for the world junior tournament.
''That was a great time. Being with some good guys and especially being overseas and playing some hard rugby.''
This year, he decided to move north with plenty of props around the Wellington scene, and headed to Auckland, linking with the Marist club.
''Nothing was happening in Wellington and I needed a change of scenery. The style of rugby was more physical up there. But we didn't go that well. We struggled a bit.''
Coming towards the end of the club season, Brighouse wondered what was going to happen - his job as a builder's labourer looked to be as good as it got.
But some rugby eyes in the South knew his abilities.
''I got a text from Jamie Joseph asking what I was doing. He said there could be an opportunity down in Otago. I knew Jamie from back in Wellington.
''Then five minutes later, I got a call from my agent, saying Otago had offered me a full contract. It was a chance to play for Otago and I didn't give it a second thought. Otago won the shield last year and is a team that plays. They are not a muck-around side.''
He was given no promises from Joseph with regards to the Highlanders but that did not stop Brighouse making a swift move south.
Brighouse, who prefers loosehead to tighthead but has been used as a tighthead so far for Otago, made his first start for Otago last Saturday against Southland and got around the field, helping Otago to victory.
He said the standard at ITM Cup level was, as expected, a significant increase above club rugby.
''It is a lot quicker, a lot more physical and you haven't got as much time. But I'm slowly getting used to it.''
Brighouse and his team-mates will have to be on their game tonight as the side will face a severe examination of its talents tonight against Canterbury.
The red and blacks in past years have usually taken a while to get going.
But the side from Christchurch has hit the ground running this season, racking up 154 points in three games.
For Otago to compete it simply must not make mistakes and play territory sensibly.
Canterbury loves capitalising on errors so for Otago to be in the contest, it simply must not make any.
