KEY POINTS:
The comparison is becoming tedious but Stephen Brett accepts being compared to a certain other No 10 is part of the territory as his rugby career takes another step forward at Eden Park in Friday night.
Brett, who only has a solitary Super 14 cap to his name, faces the ominous task of stepping into the golden boots of Daniel Carter for at the opening seven rounds of the Crusaders' title defence.
"It's always in the back of your mind, people comparing you to DC but all I can do is try and play my own game."
Ideally that game will be tidier defensively and his goalkicking will be more reliable as the 2006 New Zealand under-21 representative makes the step up to Super 14.
Brett, like Carter a product of Christchurch Boys' High School, said those were the two areas of his game that commanded the most attention since pre-season training began in December.
"I've put a lot of work into my defence, it's one of the keys for me this year."
Brett is likely to find out sooner rather than later whether the extra work had paid dividends as All Blacks second five-eighth Sam Tuitupou is sure to be heading down the channel between him and Casey Laulala.
Brett and Laulala have barely combined in the five-eighths, having been confined to a brief liaison during the Crusaders' pre-season victory over Western Force in Melbourne.
Accustomed to having the calming influence of Aaron Mauger or the France-domiciled Cameron McIntyre outside him, Brett is confident his combination with the former All Blacks centre will not prove a weak link.
"We haven't played properly together but we've been working hard this week, we trust each other and we're excited about the challenge."
Brett's goalkicking is also a work in progress and a facet of his game that could prolong his understudy role in the face of a concerted challenge from North Harbour draft player Tusi Pisi.
Auckland fullback Brent Ward is also a kicking option but Brett is hoping to nail down that area of responsibility.
He faces a tough initiation at this level having never experienced the intricacies of Eden Park.
Brett watched the NPC match between the traditional rivals in 2005 but that is as close as he's got to the home of Auckland rugby.
He will get his bearings after the team arrive in Auckland tomorrow.
"I hope to get an idea how the winds goes and take it from there. It's just another challenge for me."
- NZPA
