Cape Town - Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is backing All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa to bring his A-game to Saturday's semi-final against the Lions in Johannesburg.
Fekitoa, who prefers playing at outside centre, has been wearing the number 12 jersey in several matches for the Highlanders this year and will be in that position in the play-off.
The 24-year-old hasn't been at his best in his new position though with his running game not as prominent as previous seasons, but Joseph is confident he can deliver the goods this weekend.
"He is obviously playing in a new position and it is taking him a bit of time for him to get used to 12," Joseph told Fairfax Media.
"He has done that because of the skills and speed of Matt Faddes who is a new boy... Malakai, as you know, is a big-game player and Saturday is a big game.
"I think he is ready for a big one."
Fekitoa, who prefers playing at outside centre, has been wearing the number 12 jersey in several matches for the Highlanders this year and will be in that position in the play-off.
The 24-year-old hasn't been at his best in his new position though with his running game not as prominent as previous seasons, but Joseph is confident he can deliver the goods this weekend.
"He is obviously playing in a new position and it is taking him a bit of time for him to get used to 12," Joseph told Fairfax Media.
"He has done that because of the skills and speed of Matt Faddes who is a new boy... Malakai, as you know, is a big-game player and Saturday is a big game.
"I think he is ready for a big one."