New Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor already knows he has the backing of his coach – that much was evident when he became the first player to be offered a five-year deal by the Wellington franchise.
And the 19-year old is keen to show John Plumtree it was the right call.
"Now I guess it's time to repay them and put my head down and start working," said Proctor.
With so much hype around the 19-year old, you’d think he’d be under pressure to perform.
"I'm not putting too much pressure on myself at the moment."
"If the opportunities arise for me to show myself, and get out on the field and prove myself, then I'll take that opportunity with two hands, and do the best that I can."
And there's plenty of familiar faces from the Wellington Lions alongside him, including his older brother, and fellow midfielder Matt.
They played together for the first time during this year's Mitre 10 campaign, but getting minutes together in a Super Rugby match is the next box to tick.
"It'd be awesome. Something that I guess we’ve wanted to do since we were kids, and I'm sure it would make the parents proud if we did get out there together."
However, depending on fitness levels elsewhere in the midfield, he and his brother may well be fighting for the same 13 jersey for large parts of the season.
SHARE ME