New Force recruit Reesjan Pasitoa admits a chance to return home to Western Australia was too hard to turn down as he embraces life with the new club.
Pasitoa was raised in Perth before making the move east for school, eventually signing with the Brumbies at just 17.
Having found himself behind Wallabies Christian Lealiifano and Noah Lolesio in the pecking order, the 19-year-old was keen to break out and show off his development.
“It’s good to be back. I’m a Perth boy so it’s awesome to be back,” Pasitoa told Rugby.com.au. “When I was having a think about it, there was an opportunity to return home and it’s been good to see family and friends over here.
“I’ve spent the past couple of years in Canberra and I learnt so much there. I loved my time there and I’m trying to use what I learnt there into some game time.
"I learnt a lot from Christian (Lealiifano) about off-field stuff, how to prepare for training and the week itself. He ran through a weekly process and where I can fit in extras, making sure I’m recovering well and sleeping, nutrition and all that stuff.
“From Noah, it was all about expressing yourself, staying in that moment and that was a big thing from here.”
The flyhalf heads to Perth with several familiar faces, one of five Brumbies to make the move to the Force.
Pasitoa is joined in the west by Bayley Kuenzle, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Harry Lloyd and Reece Tapine, with the group only figuring out about each other's decision when it was announced.
“We didn’t even know (all of us were heading to Perth),” he admitted.
“I think an article came out here in Perth and that’s how we all figured out and told the boys but it was good to have a little group of boys come over, it made that transition a little easier.”
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Having settled into training and the warm weather of Perth, Pasitoa has lavished praise onto new coach Tim Sampson and the rest of the squad as they look to build off their maiden finals appearance.
“All the boys and staff from an off-field perspective have been really welcoming, everyone’s really cool and the training has been awesome,” he said.
“It’s a real good standard which all the leaders drive and I’ve really enjoyed it so far. We’re just getting ready for the new comp which looks exciting with the inclusion of the two Pasifika teams which will be exciting.
“I’ve really enjoyed ‘Sambo’ (Tim Sampson) so far. The way he wants us to play and all the coaches are quite good with their detail which is awesome. He wants us to play footy and play what’s in front of us straight away.
“He’s been talking with me straight away about what I can work on and how I’m adjusting. I’ve really enjoyed Sambo and all the coaches.”
