Hull KR scrum-half Kris Keating says his move to Super League has given him a new lease of life.
Keating arrived in Hull last week but will not start training with the Robins until Monday, after being given time to settle into life in East Yorkshire.
Eager to begin his new career at Craven Park, the 25-year-old former Canterbury Bulldogs player says he already feels at home in his new surroundings and has a real zest for the sport again after experiencing the passion for the game in Hull.
"I was at the kit launch on Sunday and that showed me just how important this team is to the fans," Keating told the Mail.
"I could see their passion and it makes me want to repay them for their loyalty.
"They pay their hard-earned cash on membership and kit, and experiencing that and being around the place has given me a new lease of life.
"So far, everything has been good and everyone has helped me and my fianceé Jenna settle in. The directors have been showing me around and I haven't experienced that in my career before."
Keating, who boasts 88 NRL appearances after spells at Canterbury and Parramatta Eels, has been signed to replace former captain Michael Dobson, who swapped Super League for Newcastle Knights at the end of last season.
Stepping into the shoes of a former Dream Team member and a player regarded as one of the best scrum-halves in Super League is a challenge Keating admits will be tough.
Dobson's partnership with stand-off Travis Burns blossomed last season as the club reached the play-offs and building that relationship is one of the new half-back's priorities.
The pair are yet to train together at Craven Park, with Keating not in full training and Burns in rehab following a post-season shoulder operation.
With the stand-off unlikely to be back in full training until the new year, Keating will have to wait to strike up a relationship on the field with his new partner, but he says they've already met up in an effort to build an early necessary understanding between themselves.
"Travis and I are both easy going people," added Keating.
"It's so important for us to get on well off the pitch so we can work well on it.
"Already we have had a couple of chats and I believe we can start well.
"There might be times early in the season where things don't go according to plan, but that is only to be expected.
"Travis will continue to operate on the right hand side and I'll take control of the left, just like Michael did.
"We haven't done much on the pitch as he recovers from surgery, but I think when we get on the pitch together, we'll do well for Rovers."
