A three-year wait to regularly conduct the Hurricanes' backline is over for James Marshall, who will relish the spotlight against the Sharks on Saturday.
Marshall has the unenviable task of filling injured Super Rugby maestro Beauden Barrett's electric boots for the next month.
Barrett, whose all-purpose game at No.10 has helped push the Hurricanes five-points clear at the top of the table, will miss the next four weeks recovering from a torn knee ligament.
Marshall has been largely a spare parts man for the last three seasons, having made one start this year at five-eighth, two at fullback and seven bench appearances.
From the high of leading Taranaki to their maiden NPC title last October, the 26-year-old had settled back into his low-key Super Rugby routine before Barrett hobbled off late against the Crusaders last weekend - their ninth win from 10 games.
"I've been behind Beaudy for three years now and I was starting to think the skinny guy doesn't get injured," Marshall said.
"I've had three years to prepare for this situation and if I'm not prepared now I'll never be. It's pretty exciting for me really."
Marshall, 26, has impressed again this season as a mistake-free footballer but still capable of exploiting defensive holes, a trait shared by most of the Hurricanes' back division.
He starts outside second-choice halfback Chris Smylie, with TJ Perenara being rested, and inside the decorated All Blacks midfield of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Marshall will be the goal-kicker, a task he hasn't had at any level for several seasons.
If history is any guide, the accuracy of his boot could be thoroughly tested.
The Hurricanes average more than 37 points a game in their last 10 Wellington fixtures against South African teams.
And the 11th-placed Sharks arrive having lost their past four games, including the concession of 52 points to the Crusaders and 48 to the Highlanders in their most recent games against Kiwi foe.
In the Sharks' favour is having won six of their past seven against the Hurricanes.
The loss was a 42-18 drubbing at New Plymouth three years ago, when winger Julian Savea scored his maiden Hurricanes try.
The rested Savea and Perenara will be missed by the Hurricanes although their absence is countered by the return from injury of No.8 Victor Vito.
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