All Black flanker Liam Squire is well aware of the stiff competition he faces for a place in the run on side.
Having made his international debut last year, Squire has not seen regular minutes for New Zealand, with Coach Steven Hanson opting to play the situational game and rotate his loose forwards.
With the rise of Hurricanes brute Vaea Fifita and the ever dependant Jerome Kaino, Squire is relishing the opportunity to start in Saturday's third Bledisloe test against the Wallabies and understands his position in the pecking order.
"I don't think I'm number one," he said.
"I'm enjoying my time getting starts, but in saying that, you've got two very good number sixes sitting in the wings as well with Vaea and JK.
"I'm going to have to perform every time I get the chance to try and keep that spot."
Squire sees himself in a similar position to that Lima Sopoaga, who gets a rare chance to start for the test in Brisbane.
With Beauden Barrett ruled out of the game because of a head knock, Sopoaga will play at first-five, an occasion which Squire is confident the two will benefit from leading into the encounter.
"I can relate to Lima a bit there. The more time in the saddle [means] you're a lot more comfortable when you know your role a lot better," he said.
"It sort of helps with your preparation throughout the week, so the more time you get, the more crucial it is."
The All Blacks head into the match in hopes of a better start than the one they had against South Africa in Cape Town.
Squire is hopeful he will be of a more immediate impact and ensure the team are not in the position of having to play catch-up.
"Looking back at it, our start was a little slow, but for myself luckily enough to be able to get back into the game within the end of the second half," he said.
"I haven't really thought about it too much, but, yeah, in saying that, there was a bit of a handbrake there, but we were lucky enough to get back into it."
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