Jayden Hayward has got his apprenticeship off the field - this season he wants to earn his stripes on the field.
Hayward (22) is in his second year with the Highlanders and is keen to build on what he learned last season.
Hayward, who has completed an electrical apprenticeship, was something of a surprise pick by the Highlanders last year after playing one season with Taranaki.
But the second five-eighth did enough in that 2008 season to impress Highlanders coach Glenn Moore who brought the youngster south.
Moore did not overuse him last year - he played four games - but this year appears to be the one where Hayward is due to make an impact.
"Last year when I came down I was the new boy in the team and just wanted to learn off people around me. Hopefully, this year I can offer some things back," Hayward said.
"That first time I came down I had just played the one season with Taranaki and when I arrived it was a completely different level. Just in everything, in the attack and in the defence, the way we trained. With Taranaki you find that there is a bit more of a spread of ability among the players you play with and against. Here everyone is at that higher level."
Moore speaks highly of Hayward and is expecting big things from him this season.
Hayward has impressed when playing for Taranaki, and when he gets on the field for Highlanders, with the ability to find those around him and find gaps, but said there was little time to make decisions at the higher level.
"You've got to make a split-second decision, with all the guys running at you and with the guys outside."
The Highlanders tried to improve quick decision-making by working hard on the training paddock.
Hayward said he hoped it would work out on game day.
"It's more about being able to play what is right in front of you and making the right decision."
A shoulder injury had been a hindrance during pre-season and forced him to miss the game against the Chiefs.
But he travelled to Fiji and got 60 minutes in the sweltering sun against the Fiji President's XV.
Hayward is Taranaki born and bred - attending Hawera High School - and played for the Eltham-Kaponga club.
"I went there straight after school as all my mates from school went there. About two years later I was the only one still there as they'd all left."
Hayward, who is a loan player for the Highlanders and will go back to Taranaki for the provincial season, said the Highlanders had talked at length about the need for a big season, and to turn those too familiar close losses into wins.
"We've got 20-odd back from last year and for many guys it's their third or fourth year here.
The difference between losing those close games and taking them out is very fine and that can be the difference between being in the top four and the bottom four.
"It is an extremely tough competition. The hardest game is always the next one."
Hayward made his Super 14 starting debut against the Crusaders last year when the Highlanders won 6-0, the lowest-scoring Super game in history.
He hoped to taste that wining feeling, if selected, on Saturday.
"Everyone gets up for the Crusaders. They have been the team to beat throughout the years. If you can't get up for the Crusaders then you shouldn't be here."
