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You figure Isa Nacewa could play a fair game of basketball or handle a tennis racket with some aplomb. He has that look - someone whose natural gifts of speed, timing and co-ordination lend themselves to sporting excellence.
He admits he can surf and has extended his repertoire to include wake-boarding but Nacewa is now making his summer splash on the rugby field. And while the Blues included specialist first five-eighths David Holwell in their squad, it was Nacewa who wore the No 10 jersey for the first match of the new series, against the Crusaders.
It was an enterprising decision from the Blues coaching staff but one that coach David Nucifora explained as a necessity if his side were to challenge the well-drilled champions. It was a decision which did not seem to fit Nucifora's conservative nature, but it was a sound gamble and one with a smidgeon of history.
Nacewa had filled in more than capably in a few games for the Blues at first five-eighths last year, in a season where he played all over the backline except halfback. His defensive clout and attacking instincts brought a different balance to the Blues though his tactical kicking needed more polish.
But the impression Nacewa made during those matches brought him into the five-eighths mix again when Nucifora and his assistant, Joe Schmidt, went through their selection options for this Super 14 season. Luke McAlister could always shift if necessary and Holwell was their reliable, dependable choice.
But first-up the 24-year-old Nacewa was the backline general.
"I think it was about halfway though the pre-season training when we sat down together and I asked David [Nucifora] what his plans were for me," Nacewa said.
"I had been training on the wing but he told me he was thinking of playing me at first five-eighths in a few of the trial games."
Nacewa was not fazed but quickly built up his hours on the tactical and goalkicking requirements.
"I have talked a lot with the coaches about strategies and Davey Holwell has given me heaps of help. My philosophy is that I play the game a bit off the cuff because I have not played the position long enough for it to be second nature yet.
"But I am really enjoying it. I always take the attitude that if I put my mind to something then I want to give it my all. I do not have a preference, it does not worry me where I play. That is not quite true because I am not keen about playing halfback but it does get me when I am outside the 22."
That adventurous streak shows away from Nacewa's rugby life.
Several years ago he tried sky-diving and he has bungy-jumped several times from the Harbour Bridge. He liked the thrill of the bungy but has no intention of repeating his tandem parachute trip.
"I saw the t-shirt with the slogan 'Why jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane' and I really understand that feeling. The freefall is superfast, too quick for me."
Some argue his rise to Super 14 pivot has been too brisk as well but his collection of points and general play in the 34-25 victory against the Crusaders was an emphatic response. Nacewa is canny enough to point out that was last week, the task this week is altogether different in Canberra.
"It felt good and we needed that first win after last year. For most of the time I felt in control though I panicked a bit there in the second half until Steve Devine came on and told me to slow down," Nacewa recalled.
"We were so excited to play the Crusaders in the first game of the season. We had been doing our homework since last December and it was all about February 2 and the Crusaders. We were stoked to beat them."
Victory had removed some of the anxiety which occurred naturally, before every season. There had been a deal of pressure for the Blues to improve on the results of their past few seasons.
Young Stephen Brett had been a sharp five-eighths rival last week and this week was another level up with Stephen Larkham returning to the Brumbies after bypassing last week because of the birth of his second daughter.
"What do you say about Larkham? He has been a Wallaby and world-class for so long, he has such a wealth of experience that it will be a massive challenge."
Early days yet but you also get the feeling that the bigger the task, the more Nacewa thrives. It is a premise the Blues are banking on.
