Small, who shifted from Christchurch to have a crack at first class rugby, was part of a disappointing Otago effort in his debut for Otago against Counties-Manukau.
Then he was thrown into the intense atmosphere of a Ranfurly Shield challenge as Otago went down narrowly to Southland in Invercargill.
"That first game I wasn't too happy with. Probably the worst thing was ball control in the contact area.
"It was better last week against Southland and I managed to get my hands on the ball more," he said.
"That was the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of but I didn't take much notice of them, really. The game was over really, really quickly."
Small (23) said he was slowly warming to his work at fullback, a position he played most of the time.
"I need to just keep working on my game, and making the most of the opportunities.
It is a big step up from club play - just the speed of the game and you haven't got the same amount of time to make decisions.
"But it is a real chance to prove myself at this level."
Small was born and bred in Christchurch and moved through the grades in the red and black system, playing for every Canterbury-based side apart from the Crusaders.
He made his debut for Canterbury last year against Tasman, coming on to the wing, but felt his options were better further south.
"There are a lot of players up there and I didn't really get the opportunities. Not only are you fighting with all the Canterbury guys, but they also import a lot of players."
Small said Otago coach Phil Mooney had watched him play club rugby for High School Old Boys and, although he was keen to make the move south, it was a tough decision.
"I'm a loyal player. Really, really loyal. So it took me a long time to come to a decision to come down here. But it was a good opportunity for me and everyone has been really welcoming. It is a really good environment and the boys have been really friendly."
Small is also a handy cricketer, good enough to play first-class cricket for Canterbury when aged just 19.
An all-rounder, he also played twenty/20 cricket for Canterbury but now plays only socially.
"You just don't have the time. The seasons just overlap too much."
He has finished his accountancy studies at the University of Canterbury and had started an engineering degree but does not know if he will continue in this line of study as it is not offered at the University of Otago.
Small was part of a talented first XV at Christchurch Boy's High School, which won the national competition in 2004.
Nearly the whole school team has gone on to play first-class rugby, including the likes of All Black prop Owen Franks, Canterbury first five-eighth Colin Slade and Small's Otago team-mate Hoani Matenga.
