KEY POINTS:
Thrust into the spotlight through injury, Crusaders replacement hooker Ti'i Paulo plans to stick to a regular routine ahead of the Super 14 rugby final against the New South Wales Waratahs in Christchurch on Saturday.
With Corey Flynn sidelined for possibly three months with a broken forearm, Paulo is set to step in when coach Robbie Deans names his team on Thursday.
Deans has called in Steve Fualau from the Crusaders' wider training group to fill the vacancy left by Flynn but Paulo is expected to start against the Waratahs.
The 110kg Paulo, 25, has been a good performer for the Crusaders off the reserves bench since his 2005 debut when he was brought into the squad as a replacement.
He impressed in two starting 15 appearances against the Cheetahs and the Lions this season before taking the field for Flynn early in the semifinal win over the Hurricanes last Saturday.
Paulo captained Tasman in 2006, but missed the Air NZ Cup last year after a shoulder operation ruled him out of contention.
The quietly spoken hooker said he was "buzzing" in the knowledge he was the Crusaders frontline rake for the final.
He is also naturally sorry that his opportunity has come at a huge expense to Flynn, who has probably seen his chance of a recall to the All Blacks disappear.
"It's a shame to lose someone of his character," Paulo said.
"I feel sad for him because I know how important he is to this team as a leader and a player. But I'm excited that I've got a job to do."
Paulo acknowledges he has big shoes to fill and said he planned to seek some advice from Flynn during a quiet moment or two this week.
"I've learnt heaps off him throughout the years since I've been in Canterbury," Paulo said.
"I'll probably get alongside him and have a yarn."
He admitted there would "probably be a few more nerves around than normal" this week, but said he planned to stick to his usual routine.
"I'm just going to do what I normally do," Paulo said.
"It's always a fair chance I could go on even when I'm sitting on the bench."
Paulo has no doubts about the Crusaders' readiness for the final.
"We're going to be right there," he said.
"We've set ourselves up for the final and we've just got one more job to do, so there'll be no lack of intensity this week.
"I'm buzzing at the moment. I just can't wait for the game."
- NZPA
