As far as what he calls his "rugby league education", Poasa Faamausili could hardly have started at a more thorough NRL school than the Sydney Roosters.
But after years of learning under coach Trent Robinson, Faamausili is now hoping to apply his lessons to St George Illawarra, where the 24-year-old has signed until the end of 2022.
The Auckland-born prop came through the junior grades at the Roosters, winning the 2014 SG Ball and 2016 NYC premierships, and felt he needed to test himself in a new environment.
A chance to cement an NRL spot was a big reason for the move, given he only managed 24 matches for the Tricolours including his 2018 debut. He also played four times for the Warriors on loan last year.
"It's just a fresh start and to get some game-time as well and get out of my comfort zone at the Roosters," Faamausili said.
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"That was the whole thing, to get out of my comfort zone and come down here, experience something new."
He added that "footy IQ" is what he's taken from the Roosters.
"They're big on their footy education so I learnt a lot of defensive systems off Craig Fitzgibbon, Robbo and a lot of our attacking sets as well," he said, adding he wants to "make his mark" for the Dragons.
All but one of Faamausili's first-grade appearances so far have come off the interchange, and he said he's yet to be given a defined role in St George Illawarra's forward pack by coach Anthony Griffin.
"He's quieter," Faamausili said of Griffin when asked how he compares to three-time premiership-winner Robinson.
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"But they're really smart guys. When Hook [Griffin] speaks, you listen to what he says because he knows what he's talking about."
Faamausili has found the "same scenery" as Roosters heartland Bondi around his new training base of Wollongong due to the beaches, but a longer commute has been an adjustment.
"I'm still living in Bexley at the moment with my parents. Maybe next pre-season I'll probably move down. I'm just getting used to the travel at the moment, an hour here and back," he said.
"I'm really enjoying it at the moment. I'm loving the new club, it's a really good club. There's good people here, good coaching staff and the boys have been really welcoming."
