HE has made a name for himself as one of Super League’s most destructive props in recent years.
However, Sam Kasiano knows reputation alone will not keep him in the Warrington Wolves 17 due to the depth in their front row.
The big New Zealander’s signing was part of a huge overhaul of the Wire pack, with Gil Dudson following him from Catalans Dragons while Josh McGuire and Paul Vaughan have arrived from the NRL.
With Tom Mikaele, James Harrison, Joe Bullock and Joe Philbin already in situ and young players such as Luke Thomas itching to make their mark, being at your best week in, week out is going to be imperative.
On paper, Wire have built a pack to be feared but now all eyes will be on how that translates to the grass.
“That kind of competition has to drive you and it does drive me,” he said.
“If you play bad, you could be replaced the next week so I want to put my best foot forward every week and stay in the 17.
“I've played with Moose (McGuire) before and he's a real footy-head. He's probably going to be a coach after footy I'd say.
“Vaughany's just such a good player who's played Origin and all of that stuff.
“It's just good to get to work with those boys and share some knowledge to the younger ones as well.”
Many expected Kasiano to end his playing days in France having played a key part in the Dragons’ rise to perennial contendership.
He made 48 appearances for them over four seasons having played more than 150 times in the NRL for Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm in a career that has also seen him capped internationally by both New Zealand and Samoa.
However, he insists turning out for an English club was always something he wanted to give a shot and that there is plenty left in the tank having signed a two-year deal at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
“I knew a few of the boys and they are always a good team every year whenever I've played against them, and they were just unlucky last year. I was just really excited by the opportunity.
“I signed halfway through the season but was surprised by how they did, because they had a good team on paper.
“I don't know what was happening here but hopefully this year, we'll change that.
“Last year is last year. We're a new team and we're ready to go.
“I think I've still got some good footy left in me and hopefully I can show it over these two years.
“I'll give it a good crack and I'd like to win something. I think we can with this group here so fingers crossed.
“I wanted to experience what England was like and I'm glad I got the opportunity here at this club, so I'm happy.
“Experiencing what it was like as a home player that was part of my thinking and plans to come here.
“Away fans travel over here and they come in numbers and then playing here was always difficult because the fans were too good.
“I wanted to experience being part of that as the home team.”
Having allowed Daryl Powell to mould the squad in his image, the focus now switches to seeing what kind of impact the new faces have.
A return to the top six will likely be considered a minimum target among supporters and Kasiano believes things are in place to contend again.
“I feel like the ingredients are there – we've got a good mix of youth and experience,” the 32-year-old said.
“We've got some great halves in Georgie (Williams) and Josh (Drinkwater), a good pack and our back line is super-fast so I don't see why not.
“If we all put 110 per cent into every game, anything could happen.”
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