New Zealand import David Bhana can’t wait to experience playing in Club colours for the first time on Saturday when he takes the field for a trial match against the Wentworthville Magpies.
“I’m super excited and can’t wait to pull on the red and blue jersey," he told Knights TV.
"I’ll just run out there with the boys and will see how we go.
“I think we’ll go pretty well. Most of us have trained together all pre-season.
“We’re just trying to get all the little things right so we can play as best as we can.”
While he's confident in the Knights' lineup, he expects the opposition to field a strong side aswell.
“It will be a challenging squad, Wentworthville traditionally have a lot of big forwards," he said.
“We just have to use the defensive principles we have been training with all pre-season and we should go well."
Bhana is determined to leave a good impression in his first hit-out in efforts to chase his dream of achieving a first grade debut in 2016.
“This is the first time is the first time a lot of them (coaching staff) will see most of us run around,” he said.
“For me, I’m looking to stake a claim to get a debut this year for the Knights, so it will be a good opportunity."
He's proud of his develpment throughout the NRL pre-season and has adjusted to life at a new Club as well as living in a new country.
“It’s been tough. I haven’t really experienced this type of heat. It’s been a learning curve trying to get all that preparation right so I can train the best I can everyday," he said.
Part of his development has involved working closely with one of his childhood idols, New Zealand international, Jeremy Smith.
“I’ve been following around Jeremy Smith, I’ve been looking at old footage of him and seeing what he does around the paddock and all of his little defensive techniques," he said.
"Bedsy (Danny Buderus) has also been teaching me a bit about the hooking role, which is new to me.
"With him being one of the best hookers to ever play the game, I hope I’m learning something."
The 23-year-old has heard plenty about Newcastle Knights' supporters from his teammates and is eager to experience the atmosphere of a home game at No. 2 Sportsground.
“I’m hoping they all come out to support us. I’ve only heard good things about No.2 and all our Newcastle Knights fans,” he said.
“Coming here with the Warriors, it was always a pretty frosty reception, so I can’t wait for that to be on our side.”
Saturday February 13 – Trial match
Newcastle Knights v Parramatta / Wentworthville
NYC: 5pm
NRL: 7pm
Venue: Newcastle Sportsground No.2
Entry is free
