Duncan Paia'aua believes he has finally found his feet at Super Rugby level and has carved out his own niche in a star-studded Queensland Reds backline.
The 22-year-old has been one of the success stories of the Reds' stuttering start to the season, which continues in Johannesburg on Sunday morning (AEST) against the Lions.
A former Brisbane Broncos under-20s player whose output over the last two years has been curtailed by concussion and injury problems, inside centre Paia'aua is emerging as the ideal foil for five-eighth Quade Cooper.
"I've never felt more comfortable playing rugby, especially in the No.12 position," he said.
"I think I've found my spot and I'm feeling very comfortable and enjoying my rugby.
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"Quadey's got a really beautiful footy mind. He takes a lot of pressure off me and helps me play better footy.
"The way I play, I think I can take a bit of pressure off him as well. We gel together very well."
Paia'aua has been a key Reds contributor over the first three rounds of the 2017 campaign, linking up well not only with Cooper, but Wallaby powerhouse Samu Kerevi and reborn fullback Karmichael Hunt.
His surging runs and smart passing have helped fuel Queensland's attack while he's also added starch to their defence, rattling All Black Ryan Crotty with a massive hit in last week's heartbreaking last-gasp loss to the Crusaders.
"Obviously with that kind of experience inside and outside me, it makes my job a lot easier," Paia'aua said.
"Hopefully I can be my own player in this team of superstars."
The Reds have not won on the road since May 2015, losing their last nine away matches, and face a stern test at Ellis Park in the shape of the Lions, last year's Super Rugby runners-up.
But Paia'aua is confident they can spring an upset after taking what he said was a step in the right direction against the Crusaders last weekend.
"But it doesn't show if we don't win games," he said.
"We probably should have won the last two games.
"I think just last week we only played for one half.
"It takes 80 minutes to beat a good team like this so we've just got to stick to our gameplan and if we do that, we should get a result."
