All Blacks head coach Ian Foster offered a straightforward tidbit of advice for his newest test debutant in waiting Stephen Perofeta.
"Just be Stephen Perofeta, really" Foster said on Thursday.
In July, the Blues back was rewarded for a breakthrough Super Rugby campaign with his first call-up to the national squad, biding his time though the Ireland series and the two-test jaunt to South Africa.
But on Thursday, the 25-year-old was named to earn his first cap off the bench during Saturday's clash with Argentina at Christchurch, replacing the injured Beauden Barrett.
Barrett's stiff neck doesn't appear likely to keep him off the field long-term, with Foster hoping to have him available for selection in next week's rematch with the South Americans at Hamilton.
Foster hinted a healthy Barrett would've remained in the bench role he occupied in the second-test win over the Springboks, admitting he had planned to bring Perofeta into the fray at FMG Stadium.
But with the impact the Whanganui native has made during his relatively short time in the All Blacks camp, Foster had no qualms elevating him a week earlier than expected.
"He's been preparing well," said Foster. "He's been quite impressive behind the scenes.
"The opportunity has come… there was potential for it to be next week but it's this week, and the whole group is excited about that. [They've got] a lot of faith in him."
After being named NPC player of the year in 2021, Perofeta became a key cog during the Blues' run to the Super Rugby Pacific final this season, where his sharp decision-making, elite playmaking and his radar of a kicking boot thrust him into the All Blacks selectors' spotlight.
Played predominantly in the custodian role for the Blues last season, the highly versatile Perofeta has been tasked with learning both first-five and fullback during his first stint in the national set-up.
The ease with which he's adapted to that undertaking hasn't gone unnoticed, with Foster remarking on the overall growth he's seen in Perofeta both on the pitch and in the meeting rooms.
"He's confident. He's happy to talk in front of the group, but the main thing I think is he's just leading by just learning on the park," he noted.
"He's had a role to fill at No.15 and at No.10 so he's got a double role to learn but he's done that particularly well."
Now two weeks removed from their pressure-relieving test triumph at Ellis Park, Foster and his cohorts have been fixated on ensuring the team's momentum continues to build.
A benchmark of sorts was set that day at Johannesburg, but Foster insisted the team still have much higher expectations, as they prepare for the challenge of the Argentinians and Australians.
"One of the keys for us is to make sure that, every test, there has to be an edge and we've got to be at our best," he said.
"The key thing after a strong performance is to make sure we really focus on backing tat up and growing from that so that's been our No. 1 goal this week… you look at the training levels and I'm really pleased [the players] keep on driving that.
"We're clearly working on the second test being a level for us. Whilst it was a great result we still know there was a lot of things we could've done better so we've got to keep growing from that point."
An Argentinian team buoyed by a crushing win over Australia will provide Foster and co another litmus test of their progress.
With new head coach Michael Cheika at the helm, the Pumas have added some spark and variation to their overall game that hasn't gone unnoticed.
"For those who have watched their last two games, they play an expansive fast game with that typical Argentinian combativeness at the breakdown," Foster pointed out.
"Those things won't change but I think they're playing with a bit more ambition, and I'm pretty impressed by what they delivered in their last test.
"I'm sure they are going to be coming here with a 'no fear' approach to this game and giving it everything they've got".
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Pumas Rugby Championship clash
