Former Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson admits he's feeling homesick less than two months after leaving Auckland for the Cronulla Sharks.
Last month, Johnson signed a three-year deal with the Sharks after he was released from the final year of his contract by the Warriors.
The move was prompted by reports saying he wasn't going to be re-signed for 2020 and beyond.
The move came as a big surprise, considering Johnson was heading into the season as the club's longest serving player.
He made 162 appearances, scoring 912 points since making his debut in 2011.
Since arriving in Cronulla, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing with plenty of controversies surrounding the Sharks.
The Sydney side this week lost coach Shane Flanagan after he was de-registered for 12 months after breaching terms of a suspension in 2014.
He was due to return for the 2020 season, but on Monday, Flanagan announced he won't be returning to the club.
Speaking to NRL.com, the 28-year-old Johnson said he had no regrets over the move, however, it had its challenges.
"It is definitely tough, being away from family, and it's definitely something I didn't want to give much thought to when signing that contract [with Cronulla]," Johnson told NRL.com.
"I sort of thought, 'I've been away for six to eight weeks with the Kiwis and didn't feel homesick', so I'll be alright.
"But, when you know you're not going back, it's certainly a different feeling. I'm sure other players that have moved away from family will back me up with it. It is tough.
"The way I view things, there's no point in living in a beautiful place if you're going to live here alone. I can't wait for my partner to come over; my dad, my brother and friends have already booked trips over to come and see me, so I'm very lucky that I've got a supportive crew around me that was always going to have my back."
Johnson is currently engaged to Silver Ferns netballer Kayla Cullen, who is contracted to the Northern Stars in the New Zealand domestic competition for 2019.
He said the departure of coach Flanagan - replaced by John Morris - had not caused him any lingering concerns.
"The assurance I got from the playing group probably squashed that straight away," he said.
"When I was signing Flano and everyone at the club was very open about what was happening. It's not like I was completely stung by it.
"Bomber has taken over the situations and rallied the group. The experience and the leadership within the playing group it's like nothing ever sort of happened. Definitely no regrets or concerns."
"I've settled in now and I'm really enjoying the lifestyle. It's pretty hard not to when you've got this [the beach] as your front door."
"The assurance I got from the playing group quashed that straight away and, when I was signing, everyone at the club was very open about what was happening. It's not like I was completely stunned by it."
The Sharks play two preseason games game against the Sea Eagles on February 23, and then the Knights on March 2 before their first game of the NRL season against Newcastle on March 15.
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