New Zealand fly-half Colin Slade is eager to grab his chance against Argentina on Sunday.
Fly-half eager to grab his chance against Argentina
New Zealand fly-half Colin Slade is eager to make the most of his opportunity on the biggest stage of all, starting with Sunday's World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina in Auckland.
Slade has inherited the number 10 jersey following the tournament-ending groin injury to the All Blacks' inspirational playmaker Dan Carter.
Rather than be over-awed by the challenge of filling the void created by Carter's absence, Slade is determined to deliver at Eden Park.
He said: "It's an opportunity and it's one I've got to think positively about.
Excited
"I can't be any way burdened by it - I've got to be excited about it.
"It is an opportunity. I wasn't expecting it, I don't think anyone else was, either, but that's the way it's worked out.
"It's what every young fellow dreams of - to play in a World Cup, albeit through the disappointment of DC's (Dan Carter's) injury."
Slade said he will do his best to relax and enjoy the occasion.
"I'm a young guy but I'm pretty enthusiastic about it and pretty excited about the opportunity," he said.
"I'm going out there to be me - I'm not going out there to be DC. I'm going to play my game and lead the team the best way I know how.
"I want to go out there and assert myself from the start of the game.
"Sometimes things don't come off and you take a step back and breathe and relax.
"My job out there is to direct the team on the field and knowing that I'm going to start from the beginning of the game makes it a little bit easier to prepare for."
Leadership
Slade will start outside scrum-half Piri Weepu and inside centre duo Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, with Mils Muliaina set to win his 100th Test cap at full-back.
The 23-year-old Highlanders fly-half has been boosted by the backing of his experienced colleagues.
He said: "It's been awesome. The guys have been supporting me all week, preparations have been good.
"With DC going down there's a loss of leadership there, but other guys have stepped up and will continue to do so.
"It's made me calm down, I suppose and made me realise that they are going to help me out to do what's best for the team."
