Brandon Smith has arrived.
A little over a year after his recruitment was confirmed, the squad's newest addition officially reported to Roosters HQ just days after completing his move to Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
Despite his off-season including a six week World Cup tour of the United Kingdom, an interstate move and some well-earned R&R, Smith has not just managed to adjust to his new environment - he's managed to thrive in it.
"It's been pretty easy," Smith said.
"I'm settling in well. I'm living in Bondi at the moment, I've got a good little crew of boys and I'm pretty fortunate that I already knew half the team.
"There's a lot of mateship getting around, a lot of brotherhood. It's been real good so far."
Smith: 'I'm Loving It'
After five years living in Victoria, Smith has slotted smoothly into the Eastern Suburbs lifestyle, becoming a regular face on Bondi Beach when not sweating it out on the training paddock.
It harks back to Smith's coastal roots on Waiheke Island, the small island off the coast of Auckland where the Kiwis International grew up.
"To be able to just go down to the beach and swim pretty much every day has been awesome," he said.
"It's been really, really good."
With 47 days until Smith is due to make his debut in the Round 1 clash with the Dolphins, the notoriously tough Roosters pre-season has kicked into overdrive, and not just on the fitness front.
With the No.9 jumper in his sights, Smith has already begun building crucial combinations with the other three members of his spine.
"It's (pre-season) been really tough," Smith said.
"I'm getting used to the training, but I'm loving it.
There's a lot of mateship getting around, a lot of brotherhood. It's been real good so far.
Brandon Smith On settling into the Roosters squad.
"I'm gelling with Sam (Walker) and (Luke) Keary pretty well, but we've still got a long way to go until Round 1."
Over 45,000 fans were quick to express their delight in seeing 'The Cheese' pull on the Red, White and Blue, with the first image of Smith in the famous jersey hitting the Sydney Roosters social channels last week.
However, for Smith, pulling the jumper on for real come March 5 will mean so much more.
"It was pretty cool (to pull the jersey on)," Smith remarked.
"I'm just waiting until I can pull on the jersey to go to war first.
"I think that's when it will really sink in."
