Some might remark that Gareth Hock, Parramatta's latest signing, has left it late to join the exodus of English stars to try his hand at the NRL. He has had several false starts before but, at 29, has signed to join the Eels next year.
Yet Hock doesn't see it that way. After a two-year ban, having tested positive for cocaine, Hock's body still feels fresh, and, with his deal now done, the English international feels invigorated about his move.
''I'm looking forward to the challenge,'' Hock said. ''I feel really good this year. Having a couple of years off gave my body a rest, so I'm fresh.'' He described the suspension, which ended in 2011, as ''probably the lowest moment of my life''.
''I was going good at that time,'' he said. ''I was playing for England. But I got a lot of help off Wigan, they stuck by me. Other clubs might dump you, but Wigan obviously knew that I'd been there since I was a kid, and seen what qualities I had in me.
''I kept training for two years. If I didn't do that, I think it would have been hard to come back from what I'd been through. It was just a stupid mistake. I was young. But I've put it all behind me. I'm focusing on my rugby now. I'm just training hard and playing hard. I'm enjoying my life and enjoying my rugby.''
The NRL has long been a goal. In fact, a move almost became a reality several times earlier. Hock said Penrith approached him about a move prior to his suspension, while Canberra called as his ban was nearing its end.
Having been to Australia on several occasions with his national team, he was struck by the lifestyle, the crowds, and of course the competition that is now home to a growing number of imports.
''It's always been in my mind in the seniors,'' Hock said. ''I still feel good, so I thought I'd have a bit of a crack at it for next year. It's just the kind of rugby that
I want to play against the best players in the world. It's a challenge of mine, what I've always wanted to do. I think it will suit my kind of rugby overall. I'm looking forward to it.''
He has played under Souths coach Michael Maguire at Wigan, and is seeking advice regularly from teammates and opponents. After his Widnes side (he is on loan from Wigan) played Wakefield over the weekend, he spoke to former Eel Tim Smith about the NRL. He is also good friends with Adrian Morley, who was a success under Ricky Stuart at Sydney Roosters.
''Everyone's talked good about it,'' Hock said. ''It's making me want to get there even more.''
If Hock had it his way, he would be facing Penrith on Monday night, as his future teammates will do. The original plan had been for Hock to be playing at Parramatta this season, but Wigan and the Eels could not agree to a transfer fee. He was subsequently loaned to Widnes following a fall-out with Wigan coach Shaun Wane.
''It was my choice to leave [to Widnes],'' Hock said. ''I didn't get on with the coach, so I asked to leave. I just didn't get on with the guy. It's just between me and him.''
He will be joined at Parramatta by his former Wigan teammate Lee Mossop, who he said would bring ''a lot of go-forward, and defence''. ''He's a big unit, and he's quite fit for a prop. He plays a lot of minutes,'' Hock said.
Both are motivated by the likes of the Burgess brothers and James Graham, and Morley before them.
''All the English lads seem to have done well,'' Hock said. ''I'm going to come out and give it my all, and hopefully tread the same path that they have done.''
