NZ Warriors recruit Mitchell Barnett had plenty of reason to stay in his comfort zone in Australia, but he's revealed that's exactly why he had to leave.
Barnett was one of six debutants to star in the Warriors' NRL season-opening win against the Newcastle Knights at Wellington.
The prop put in a solid performance in the middle against his former club, a position the usual edge expects to play a lot more of this season.
Barnett amassed 126 appearances in his six seasons at Newcastle, and had one year left on his deal before moving to New Zealand.
The 28-year-old reveals it would have been an easier decision to see out his contract, or join another NRL club in Australia, but he didn't want it easy.
Instead, Barnett sought out an entirely unique challenge, joining a side that finished just one spot off the wooden spoon in 2022.
He admits many couldn't understand why he would link up with the struggling Warriors, but there was never any doubt in his mind about the move.
"That was one of the draws, I wanted to test myself and get out of my comfort zone," Barnett said.
"Plenty of people said 'why would you go' here and that type of thing, but for me personally, I got myself in a bit of a rut in Newcastle.
"[I] wasn't putting in the performances that I wanted to on the training paddock, and then wasn't transferring them over on the weekend.
"I got myself a bit comfortable, and then a joint decision by them to go in a different direction and this is the challenge I want to take on and [am] fully motivated."
While changing clubs provides obvious challenges, moving to New Zealand as a part of the deal is a different prospect in itself.
With wild weather devastating much of the country's summer, Barnett hasn't been able to get out and enjoy the sun until recently.
"It gets better I heard," he said. "I swear all the boys that are from here keep telling me 'it's not usually like this' but every day seems to be like that.
"But we've got some good weather lately, went fishing with the boys yesterday actually and that was good fun.
"[I] probably got to see what New Zealand is really like the past couple of days. We're enjoying our time here and obviously would've liked to have done a bit more with my weekends off in pre-season but the rain stopped that.
"We're here for a long time and have plenty of time to do things like that."
Barnett will also have to wait until round four to play in front of the Mt Smart faithful, with the Warriors' next two games on the road.
He admits he hasn't got the full Warriors fans' experience just yet but hopes to repay support on the field.
"They're very passionate, but so are the Knights fans," Barnett said. "The Knights fans are probably some of the most passionate that I've come across.
"The Warriors fans down in Wellington were really passionate, I haven't had too much to do with them apart from that.
"[My] Instagram has been blowing up from everyone messaging, I appreciate that and I just look forward to putting in some good performances for them and just getting out there and getting as many wins as possible."
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