And he will get his chance when he starts on the wing for Otago against Auckland at Carisbrook tomorrow afternoon.
Shortland (23), one of two former New Zealand Warriors league players in the Otago squad (inside back Michael Witt is the other), said his play revolved around getting out on the field.
"I've had a couple of starts and that was exactly what I was looking for. When you're on the bench you build everything up and then you have to sit down again," Shortland said.
He has started three of Otago's first five games and had an impressive match at centre against Northland last week, scoring a nice try to get Otago on the board.
"I wouldn't have minded getting the ball a bit more but that is the way it goes. I do prefer playing at centre, but really I'll take as much time as I can on the field. That is really what I'm after."
Shortland was enjoying the atmosphere in the team, saying it was more relaxed than in his league career, and a win against Auckland was vital for the side to make an impact in this year's competition.
"We've got a real good chance against Auckland, and we need to get into them early. They are a real big confidence team, so if we can knock them straight away and rip into them as soon as we get on the field we'll have a big chance."
Otago has been slow out of the blocks in the past couple of games but Shortland said after conceding an early try last week the team put the bad start behind it and concentrated on the basics.
Shortland played in the centres for both the Melbourne Storm and then the Warriors in his league career and signed for the Taieri club earlier this year keen to try his luck in the 15-man code.
"In the backs it's more of the same thing really. Run decent lines, distribute when you can. I would hate to change over if you were a forward. Like most league players he said the hardest adjustment was at the breakdown - "when to go in and when not to go in".
Shortland admits he has not been watching much league, with both of his former clubs having mixed years.
He enjoyed the greater space in rugby, with backs in league used more as battering rams.
Super 14 was a target for Shortland - "you would not want to be involved in this competition if you did not want to play in Super 14."
Shortland replaces Fetu'u Vainikolo, who is out with a knee injury.
Brett Mather returns to the side at centre after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Ben Nolan has bruised ribs and is out with Kees Meeuws starting.
Keith Cameron has recovered from a broken thumb, and is in the reserves.
Backs Luke Herden and Johnny Legg are nursing leg injuries.
The sides are playing for the Lin Colling Memorial Trophy, which is held by Auckland.
The teams did not meet last year.
Taieri club stalwart Eric Vaafusuaga is the club legend of the week to be presented at Carisbrook tomorrow.
He has played 258 premier games, after debuting in 1989, and is still playing for Taieri.
The schoolboy march past will be at 2pm.
Otago v Auckland.
Carisbrook, tomorrow, 2.35pm
TAB odds: Otago $1.88, Auckland $1.88
Referee: Kane McBride (Canterbury)
Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Aaron Bancroft, Ryan Shortland, Chris Noakes, Sean Romans, Paul Grant, Alando Soakai (captain), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Sam Hibbard, Jason Macdonald, Kees Meeuws.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Keith Cameron, Hoani Matenga, Steven Setephano, James Kenny, Glenn Dickson, Andrew Parata.
Auckland: Paul Williams, Atieli Pakalani, Jamie Helleur, Benson Stanley (captain), Dave Thomas, Daniel Bowden, Taniela Moa, Peter Saili, Hamish Paterson, Daniel Faleafa, Andrew Van der Heijden, Kurtis Haiu, Tevita Mailau, Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu.
Reserves: Francis Smith, Paea Fa'anunu, Jay Williams, Onosa'i Auva'a, Ash Moeke, Winston Stanley.
