New recruit Bryn Hall says he has a point to prove in the Crusaders' clash against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.
Moving south from the Blues to fill the gap left by former All Black Andy Ellis at the end of last season, Hall is hoping to establish himself as the starting half back with a dominant performance against his old club.
"You always do [feel the need to prove a point]", Hall said.
"Knowing the Crusaders have a proud history here of excellence - every time I get to come out, especially in front of our fans - for me it's just to try and get better."
Hall was at the Blues during the tumultuous tenure of John Kirwan who was then followed by current coach Tana Umaga.
Subsequently, line-ups and halves combinations were consistently chopped and changed, something that Hall felt bred an environment where he couldn't quite be the player he wanted to be.
"I felt that in the point of my career I wanted to try and get better and coming down to an environment like this where there's been success and there's a good culture down here.
"I thought it was time to leave and I'm really happy I made the decision to come down here."
With the likes of Andrew Ellis and Justin Marshall preceding him in the red and black number nine jersey, Hall said he was well aware of the mammoth task ahead of him to try and live up to the history of the position.
Hall will line-up alongside rookie five-eighth Mitch Hunt who slotted the winning penalty over the Reds last weekend. And he feels like with incumbent half Richie Mo'unga's injury, Hunt can nail down the pivotal 10 role.
"Coming down here he's been really awesome. During the pre-season period, he took a real leadership role with the All Blacks away and also with Richie [Mo'unga] there as well.
"He's come along in leaps and bounds and I guess the more time he gets in the saddle, he's just going to get better"
With a reputation of having consistently slow starts to the season, the Crusaders will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in 2017.
Newshub.