JOSH Mantellato will not feel under any added pressure when he takes on the Hull KR goal-kicking duties this season.
Standing 6ft 5ins, Mantellato will be an imposing figure on the wing for the Robins after his switch from Newcastle Knights.
Although his first priority is to win a place in the starting line-up, the 27-year-old will also compete against play-maker Terry Campese for the kicking role.
It is not the first time he has faced a fight for the honour, though, having kept former Robins talisman Michael Dobson in the shadows at the Knights last year.
And after being crowned the top points scorer in the New South Wales Cup competition for the last three years, Mantellato has plenty of confidence in his ability.
He told the Mail: "I enjoy the goal kicking a lot. It's something I'm used to.
"Hopefully, I'm going to be the goal kicker this season and I always do a bit of extra practice after training.
"I played with Dobbo this year at Newcastle and kept him out of the way with the kicking, so I'm hoping to do okay here.
"I've have not had a sit down with Chris Chester to discuss my personal goals just yet. But obviously, I will aim to play every game and I think we have the squad to give it a bit of a shake this year.
"I usually set myself some other goals, but have not had a think about that just yet.
"With Terry Campese, Albert Kelly and Maurice Blair coming in, we will have a bit more experience and direction on the field so it's pretty exciting times for us."
Mantellato has arrived at Rovers as an unknown quantity after making just two NRL appearances for the Knights, including a try-scoring debut at the age of 26.
He first came to the attention of Chester when representing Italy at the 2013 World Cup, where his banana-style goalkicking accuracy caught the eye.
Capable of kicking goals from the halfway line, there was no-one in the NRL with a longer boot, and a three-year deal shows how much faith Rovers have in his ability.
As a late developer, the fully qualified personal trainer was excited by the chance to try his hand in England, even if the weather is taking some getting used to.
"I'm enjoying it, even if it is tough dealing with the cold air and the elements," he said. "The softer ground is also different to what I'm used to. It's a lot drier in Australia, but its muddy and boggy here.
"I'm getting used to the late sun rises and the early sunsets, but I'm not used to living in limited day light."
