Less than 24 hours after touching down in Australia, St George Illawarra recruit Nathan Fien's head was still spinning after his first training run at WIN Stadium yesterday.
It has been a whirlwind week for the 29-year-old, his wife Belinda and three children.
Fien (right) had already signed a three-year contract with the Dragons from next season, but the club cut a deal with the Warriors in time for the June 30 transfer deadline for him to make the early move.
Will the Dragons gamble on Jeremy Smith? Full coverage of The St George Illawarra Dragons Blues named for State of Origin IIIFien stayed in Sydney on Sunday night after flying in from New Zealand, before travelling to Wollongong to meet his new team-mates yesterday morning.
And so - having not played in the NRL since round 10 - the switch from NSW Cup also-rans the Auckland Vulcans to premiership favourites under master coach Wayne Bennett was complete.
"The transfer happened quite quickly," Fien said.
"Wayne just rang and said 'you're not doing much at the moment playing reserve grade, so you may as well come over'.
"The Warriors aren't going particularly well obviously, to get this opportunity to play with a side that's right at the top of the ladder ... it's fantastic.
"It's a bit of a disruption for the family, I've got three young kids which is a little bit tough, but they're all very excited about moving back to Australia as well and looking to get settled as quick as possible."
Fien has previously played under Bennett during his only State of Origin appearance with Queensland in 2001.
He was controversially allowed to play for New Zealand, despite an initial row over his eligibility. He featured in the triumphant World Cup campaign last year, where Bennett was assistant coach.
A talented halfback and hooker, Fien was on the outer with the Warriors and coach Ivan Cleary, before Bennett threw him an NRL lifeline.
But with captain Ben Hornby and five-eighth Jamie Soward in superb form for the Dragons, Fien's path to first grade mean he will have to fight for the dummy-half role with Dean Young, Mathew Head and Luke Priddis.
"Ben and Jamie are in career-best form, they deserve their spot, they've been running the show and things have been going very well here," Fien said.
The Dragons team, without Origin stars Justin Poore and Ben Creagh, will be named today for Sunday's blockbuster with premiers Manly at WIN Stadium and Fien said Bennett was yet to outline his role.
"(Bennett) told me to get out there and do a bit of training," he said.
"Hopefully (playing in the NRL) will be sooner rather than later."
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