At the start of last week, Western Force recruit Sam Norton-Knight was feeling slightly daunted at the prospect of taking on the key playmaker’s role against the Crusaders.
But after scoring a try and playing a key role in the 16-14 win, the one-time Wallaby is starting to feel comfortable at his new Super Rugby club.
Norton-Knight only returned to Australia in February after spending the previous three years abroad, mostly in Japan.
The 29-year-old was eased back into Super Rugby ranks with appearances off the bench against the NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels.
But with Force coach Michael Foley eager to play an experienced veteran at flyhalf against the Crusaders, Norton-Knight was thrust into the No.10 role.
A third-minute try coupled with his cool head in attack helped lift the Force to the famous win, giving both Norton-Knight and the team a massive confidence-booster heading into Friday’s clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington.
“At the start of last week I wasn’t very confident, just because I hadn’t been around the team for long enough,” Norton-Knight said.
“But it was a good opportunity to put some homework in and really get an idea of how we play, and how we want to play.
“It got more comfortable as the week wore on.
“The mood’s pretty high. But everyone’s aware it’s only one game. We’ve got to maintain those standards.”
While Norton-Knight has now become accustomed to the Force’s style of play, he’s still adapting to the increased pace of Super Rugby.
“The pace of the competition has picked up a lot since I was last involved. I was struggling on the weekend,” said Norton-Knight, who played for the Brumbies and Waratahs before signing with the Cardiff Blues at the end of 2009.
“Definitely teams are fitter and the ball movement – with the way the Crusaders play – is pretty taxing on the body.”
Norton-Knight can’t wait to play for the Force in their clash with the British and Irish Lions on June 5.
But the two-Test utility concedes his time in the national set-up is probably over.
“There’s so much talent in the back division in Australia. There’s plenty of guys with their hands well up in the air, a lot higher than my own,” he said.
Prop Salesi Ma’afu has been ruled out of the Hurricanes’ clash due to inflammation in his knee, while winger Nick Cummins still hasn’t recovered from his own knee problems.
Force squad for clash with Hurricanes: Chris Alcock, Richard Brown, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Pat Dellit, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Jayden Hayward, Matt Hodgson (capt), Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Ben McCalman, Alfie Mafi, Alby Mathewson, Sam Norton-Knight, Junior Rasolea, Mick Snowden, Winston Stanley, Ed Stubbs, Heath Tessmann, Rory Walton, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.