Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu has 38 minutes of game-time experience against the Crusaders – all of them in the high pressure of last year's Super Rugby final at ANZ Stadium where the two sides meet again on Saturday.
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Then in his first year at the Waratahs, and in such a big game, it is little wonder Latu, who came on in the 42nd minute for injured Wallaby hoooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, says he "can't remember much" of playing the seven times champions in the final won by NSW other than "it was all adrenalin".
Replacing Polota-Nau is something Latu has done regularly this season – and not just from off the bench but in the starting side as Polota-Nau has dealt with his concussion issues.
Latu, 23, 178cm and 110kg, has impressed Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
Not that Latu is ahead of himself. He knows he must work on his bread and butter in set piece.
"Being a hooker, the line-outs and scrummaging are the two most important things I need to work on," said Latu on Monday.
"Being relatively new to hooker I have to work on my set piece. If you can't win your own ball what's the point of being a hooker?"
Latu also said Cheika had not spoken to him about his Wallabies prospects, or invited him to any of the Wallabies "morning after" Super Rugby sessions. The 2012 and 2013 Australian Under 20s representative said he would "love to play" for the Wallabies.
"[But for now I'm] just trying to do my job for the Waratahs. That's it," he said.
Whether Latu starts for the Waratahs this week, as he did for the Super Rugby champions in their 33-18 win against the Sharks on Saturday, could again hinge upon Polota-Nau's availability and fitness.
Asked how he felt heading into the rematch against the Crusaders on Saturday, Latu said: "Just like any other game, just make sure I tick all the boxes for myself to know I am ready going into the game.
"[I am] not doing anything too different. [I am] finding what works for me, and [making] sure I do that to the best of my ability and go out there on Saturday."
Pressed on possibly becoming the Waratahs first-choice hooker for the finals, should they qualify, Latu said: "It hasn't crossed my mind. I am just trying to do my job week-in, week-out.
"If 'Taf' comes in like this week and starts I'll be ready to come off the bench whenever my name gets called."
