BEN Taylor has always taken a fairly relaxed approach to rugby.
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By his own admission, the halfback has blown in and out of pre-season training at Maitland most years.
He made his first grade debut as an 18-year-old in 2016 but, by and large, the apprentice plant mechanic has been content to rock up and play wherever required.
However, a phone call in the off-season from new first grade coach - and long-time family friend - Luke Cunningham changed his tune.
The departure of Max Stafford left a hole at the base of the scrum and Cunningham - himself a former first grade captain and No.9 - had one person in mind.
"Ben has played second fiddle to Max Stafford for the past few years. It has been hard for him because he is certainly a first-grade quality player," Cunningham said.
"When I knew Max wasn't going to play for us this year, I rang Benny and told him that this was the year for him to make the first-grade spot his own. That planted the seed.
"In year's gone by, he has swung in and out of pre-season training. This year I don't think he has missed a session and he is as fit as I have ever seen him."
Taylor, the son of Maitland legend and three-time premiership-winning fly-half Christian, said the call from Cunningham had been the push he needed.
"I thought I might as well pull my finger out," he said. "I rocked up to pre-season training nice and early. I had a couple of other mates who were keen and I wanted to give it a good crack."
Taylor was one of the Blacks' best in a rugged 22-13 win over a new-look Singleton in the season opener at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
"He is a very calm halfback," Cunningham said.
"There were a few times on Saturday where our forward pack was under the pump, especially at the breakdown which was quite messy. Benny had to deal with a fair bit at the back of the ruck.
"He is is a really relaxed guy and I have a lot of trust in him. If you give him instructions there is a high chance that he will follow it to the letter."
Cunningham used to work for Taylor's father, who was affectionately known as Freak, and has watched the halfback "grow up".
"I have known Ben since he was about 10," Cunningham said. "Now it is nice to have a different relationship with him and put that coach's hat on. Benny and I have a chat most sessions about different things to do with his game.
"The greatest thing about him is that he is willing to listen and willing to learn. You can see that he is trying to put some of those things into practice."
Taylor, 23, and fly-half Pat Batey have played together most of their lives and Cunningham said the "team is theirs for the taking".
"They can't use the excuse that 'we are the younger generation coming through' any more. It's their job to take the controls."
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