He's settling in fast to a new environment and towering Kane Evans is excited about what he sees.
Evans joins many new faces at NZ Warriors for the 2021 season, in a squad that is the best on paper for many a campaign.
Warriors fans would cringe at the thought of another season full of promise that fails to deliver, but Evans believes the crew that the club has brought together this season is primed to succeed.
The 29-year-old will help form one of the most intimidating forward packs in the competition.
Evans, Bayley Sironen, Addin Fonua-Blake, and Ben Murdoch-Masila join established stars Tohu Harris, Eliesa Katoa, Leeson Ah Mau, Jack Murchie and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown in a pack full of skill and power.
The former Parramatta Eels enforcer says there will be no excuses under new coach Nathan Brown, especially given the star power the first-grade team has at its disposal.
"It's only been a week and half that I’ve been with Browny, but I’m definitely loving what we’ve been practicing - especially the shapes we have coming this year on attack," Evans says.
"They’re looking exciting and I can’t wait to pull them off. We’re all bonding as a crew and you fast-forward getting to know everyone.
"We’re tight-knit, and it’s only been a week and a bit."
Evans was one of the Australian-based players who have spent the initial part of pre-season away from their NZ-based teammates.
The entire squad has been together as a unit for almost two weeks now and by the time the season starts on March 12, Evans believes the Warriors will hold an advantage over the rest of the league.
"Most teams won’t be able to have all of this time together, so he’s [Brown] definitely making use of it, with late-night video sessions and extra training sessions.
"So there’s really no excuse for us not to have a good year and go where we want to go.
"It’s been long days. Even though we’re living together, the days seem longer than normal, because we’ve had those video sessions, but I’m sure it’s good for us and it will sharpen us up come game time.
With 117 NRL games under his belt, Evans was a hot commodity when he came off contract last season.
Several offers were in front of him, but the Fijian international says he only wanted to sign one contract.
"I had a few offers, but seeing the potential that the Warriors have and being able to give my services to try to better this club, I took it as a challenge and I wanted to be a part of it.
"I know it’s going to be something special and the goal is not just for the year coming, it’s to make this club a great club for the next few years.
"I wanted to be a part of that and play with Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck].
"The signings we’ve got, like Bayley [Sironen], Addin [Fonua-Blake], along with some of the greats like Tohu [Harris] and Leeson [Ah-Mau] - it was a no brainer for me."
