Lima Sopoaga will make his first ITM Cup start for Wellington this weekend as the Lions head to Auckland looking to get their season back on track after last week's disappointing loss to Manawatu.
The 19-year-old first five-eighths has been given the task of trying to put some direction back into Wellington's backline after coach Andre Bell finally ran out of patience with Fa'atonu Fili who has struggled to curb his natural attacking flair for the more structured approach asked for by his coach.
"I'm looking to have a go and implement the game plan," the young pivot said. "I'll just be making sure we're going forward and keeping our big forwards trucking away up the field.
"We don't want them playing around in our own half. [On attack] we've tried to go wide to wide and we need to get a bit more direct and then I think the tries will come from there," he added.
Bell is confident Sopoaga can provide the steadying influence and direction that was lacking in the performances against Northland and Manawatu.
"I spoke to him through the week and asked him questions about the game and the analysis of it and he came up with all the right answers," said Bell.
"He is a running five-eighths but he is also a very good tactical kicker and all I want from him is to go out there and play his game.
"I have plenty of confidence in him and what better than a big game like this for him to test himself. He is looking forward to it."
Sopoaga certainly has no qualms about dishing out the instructions to his more senior team-mates.
"We all know we're here to do a job and my job is to bark them around so that's what I'll be doing," he said with a grin.
But he acknowledges halfback Alby Mathewson will also help carry the load.
"He's always good. I just run off him and play the calls where I need to. He's directing the forwards and I'm just helping him out as well.
"He's played in big tests and big games and I'm sure he will help me a lot.
"People just see the first-five directing it and that he makes all the decisions. But it comes from the outside backs as well. Second-five and centre help out a lot and full-backs do as well."
Sopoaga's selection is one of several changes Bell has made to the team that was out-played by Manawatu.
The return from injury of Hosea Gear, Neemia Tialata, Dane Coles and Charlie Ngatai meant Alipati Leiua, Jacob Ellison, Ged Robinson and Tajhon Mailata were always going to be returning to the bench against Auckland.
Mark Reddish's absence because of concussion means Api Naikatini moves into the second row alongside Jeremy Thrush, who has been passed fit after suffering a neck injury at training on Tuesday that saw him taken to hospital.
"He went to see the doctor this morning and was given the all clear," said the coach. "We will confirm his selection tomorrow but it is a lot better news than we thought.
"It was just precaution [taking him to hospital]. It was more like a stinger. He had tingles in his hands. So it's great that he is okay. He’s pretty relieved."
Nick Passi has been promoted from the Wellington B team as locking cover on the bench.
Wellington: 1.